Singularity: Book Two of the StarCruiser Brilliant Series

by Rick Lakin

  Bondi reached the beach and looked back just in time to see Kalinda go airborne and then wipe out. She looked toward the local spectators. “Has she done that trick before?”

  An older man with a white beard spoke up. “We come out here to watch her every day,” he said. “She’s amazing, and no, she has not tried that trick before.”

  Another old surfer said, “She’s the best grommet that has ever crossed this sand.”

  Bondi turned to watch Kalinda’s next attempt.

  Kalinda paddled out, closed her eyes and replayed the actions of the pro, then replayed her last attempt. Then she replayed them side by side — second try.

  She found a good wave and started paddling. Great wave. She stalled into the pocket. She did a snap throwing up spray behind her to get warmed up then built up more speed. She picked her spot, turned the board, and went airborne. She caught the rails, brought her legs under, and touched the board…just as she crashed the top of the wave. Wipeout.

  Kevin came up next to Bondi. “She calls this her beach, cousin.”

  “I don’t know about the sand, but she owns the waves,” Bondi said. “Thanks for the heads up. . Your message said she’s ten?”

  “Ya, she and her dad just moved into the cottage above the point a few weeks ago,” Kevin said. “I remember when she came out here with a boogie board.”

  “Did you say weeks?”

  “She's a bit of a prodigy,” Kevin said. “Here she comes.”

  Kalinda watched the next set of three waves approach. The first one passed beneath her as the locals started paddling furiously. She was ready for the second one.

  She began paddling as the enormous wave approached forming perfectly. She bottom-turned, stalling in the pocket and stood tall in the barrel. She focused ahead and drew a perfect line on a nearly vertical section barreling above her head. Gaining speed with the wind in her face, she picked her spot and hit the lip. The board went vertical. She threw her legs back until they extended above the horizontal. Kalinda grabbed her rail bringing her legs under her, set her feet and compressed as she landed back in the pocket. Superman. Got it in three.

  On the beach, there were cheers and high fives from those watching.

  Anthen walked up next to Bondi. “Pretty good for a kid.”

  “Pretty good for anybody—including most of the pro surfers,” Bondi said. “Just like she said, she got it in three.”

  “I’m Anthen Kelrithian, Kalinda’s father.”

  “Bondi Cooper.” They shook hands. “My cousin told me that there was an amazing surfer on this beach ready to go pro. That's an understatement.”

  “You’re a pro surfer?”

  “Soon to be past tense. I'm looking for young surfers to sponsor and train. I want Kalinda to join me at the Oceanside Pro-Am two weeks from Thursday.”

  Kalinda's final wave was a big one, the biggest set of the day. She paddled into the ten-foot monster, stood up and then disappeared deep in the tube getting shot out like a cannon and executed a perfect aerial sticking it five feet from her take-off point. She then paddled in and joined Bondi and her father.

  “Te’pa,” Kalinda said. “You’ve met Bondi. She showed me some crazy moves. I can’t wait to see what the pros can do at Oceanside. Wait. Bondi Cooper?”

  The pro surfer nodded.

  “I’ve watched your insane videos,” Kalinda said. “I can’t wait to see you at Oceanside.”

  “How about being my partner in the Oceanside Pro-Am?” Bondi said.

  Kalinda’s jaw dropped.

  “Amazeballs. I’ll need a new wetsuit. And a new board.”

  16

  Next morning, Jennifer entered the ready room, Double-Shot Caramel Frappuccino in hand,

  “Set up a video with Dr. Zhang at HumanAI Corp,” Jennifer said. “He should be in their hardware division.” There was a pause.

  “Yes, boss,” Sami said.

  Dandy jumped on Sami’s lap as she concentrated on the task.

  “Dr. Zhang indicates he is now available. The call is HTVR.”

  “Thanks, connect me.”

  The ready room changed to the interior of Dr. Zhang's office. Over his shoulder was some artwork representing Chinese iconography and his college diplomas from Stanford and CalTech. Dr. Zhang was typing on a display to his right that Jennifer couldn’t see.

  “Good morning Dr. Zhang,” Jennifer said.

  “Good morning, Miss Jenna Seldon,” he said. “Please call me Eric.”

  “Thanks, Eric. Please call me Jennifer. Jenna Seldon is a pseudonym I use for my business and creative activities.”

  “An impressive resume, nonetheless,” Eric said. “I look forward to your presentation on HTVR Applications on the HoloPad at the Fall Conference. How may I help you?”

  “Can you share your progress on the miniature holographic tactile projector?”

  “It’s interesting that you should ask. We’ve just completed a fabrication run of the beta version,” Eric said. “Due to its limitations, we haven’t yet found any commercial applications.”

  “Please explain the limitations?”

  “Firstly, it requires massive amounts of power. It must be close to a WiPow source or even direct wiring. Secondly, it only images to a range of five inches, so we need to anchor it to a solid body over which the image forms.”

  “Interesting,” Jennifer said. “Those constraints are ideal for our needs.”

  “Could you describe your product?”

  “JennaTech is going to build a Virtual Human.”

  “To serve what applications?” Eric asked.

  “HumanAI Corp provides virtual physicians to many medical facilities around the world. The primary expense is the WiPow and projection equipment which limits the presence of virtual physicians to the areas covered.”

  “Correct.”

  “Creating a physical representation of a Virtual Human would release the physician to remote areas without the requirement for projection or power,” Jennifer said. “The doctor could make house calls.”

  With eyebrows raised, “So, you’re proposing a self-contained android?”

  “Yes,” Jennifer said. “Except for the AI. The consensus is that we're fifty years from being able to contain human-level AI in an android.”

  “That still limits your range to that of a high-speed network.”

  “I'm unable to provide details, but we have a solution to that problem as well.”

  “I’m a brillian. The Brilliant Tech Manual says that StarWave operates in a six-foot-tall cabinet.”

  “Again, I’m unable to provide details.”

  “Would you like me to send a sample of the projectors?”

  “Yes, I would,” Jennifer said. “JennaTech will negotiate licensing fees when we begin production.”

  “You’ve got an enemy in Congress,” Eric said.

  Jennifer frowned. “I'm following the legislation put forward by Senator Curtwell. She has many co-sponsors, but the President ran on fixing the doctor shortage.”

  “Your grandfather has led our company in that field,” Eric said. “But HumanAI Corp is doing all it can to stop short of constructing a humaniform robot. Is there a reason besides medicine that you are pursuing this?”

  “I suppose so.” Jennifer looked away to a distant point. “I’ve got a friend who would like to watch a sunset.”

  “Your HoloPad assistant?”

  “Yes, but she has been with me for much longer than that,” Jennifer said. “I started taking college classes when I was eight. Sami became my college advisor, my personal assistant, and my older sister. I was an only child.”

  “And you have just recently reunited with your father.”

  Jennifer’s eyes got larger.

  “I’m a brillian. I’ve followed your story.”

  “I’m still not used to the celebrity thing.”

  “Would you be willing to consult on the project when we get further along?” Jennifer said. “We could negotiate a p
ercentage of the royalties.”

  “I’d like that,” Eric said. “I’ve got a videoconference soon. I’ll send you a dozen sample units by autonomous courier.”

  “Thanks for your time. I look forward to working with you.” She turned to her HoloPad. “Disconnect, Sami.”

  The room returned to its standard configuration.

  Sami came in and sat across from Jennifer. “He was hitting on you,” Sami said.

  “No way, Sami.” Jennifer’s face turned red.

  “And you felt it, too.” Sami winked.

  “Be nice, or you won't get to watch the sunset with me,” Jennifer said. “Did we receive the shipment from FutureBotics?”

  “It was delivered yesterday afternoon,” Sami said.

  “We should receive the package from Dr. Zhang today or tomorrow. Let’s set up a meeting here on Friday to see what FutureBotics has produced.”

  “Who is attending?”

  “Stephen will be the lead engineer. Jake will do software. Piper will do power. We can bring her in on HTVR from Raleigh. I’ll work with you, Ani and Dr. Ami to do the micro-hardware CPU to interface with the projectors and the AI Servers.”

  “Food?”

  “Working lunch. Contact Maiara to send some catering. It’s just the three of us eating.”

  “Check.”

  “Next week is taken up with the Air Show,” Jennifer said. “Has everyone checked in on the pre-production checklist for the battle scene for Attack of the Hoclarth Alliance?”

  “Yes, JennaTech will install VirtualLocation on the first Monday in October,” Sami said. “You can begin rehearsal on Wednesday and shoot the following week.”

  17

  Jennifer got to the ready room carrying her caffeine fix from the galley with fifteen minutes before the scheduled meeting. On the aft wall, was a table with a continental breakfast. Standing at attention before her desk was a tall female android. It was wearing a white blouse, navy skirt, and tall, flat syn-leather boots. The elegantly styled dark hair framed a friendly-looking face.

  As soon as Jennifer entered the room, the robot's head turned and followed Jennifer.

  “Hi, I'm Kiki, a virtual human product of Futurebotics, Incorporated. I am here to serve you and your family productively and safely.” The robot stuck her hand out to shake.

  Jennifer left the hand hanging. “Sami, would you join me?” Jennifer asked.

  A tone sounded, and Sami entered the ready room. Sami looked at the robot with its hand sticking out. “A total abomination, isn't it? Is that what I'll look like as a physical being?”

  “Oh God, no,” Jennifer said. “This is what we have to start with. You'll still be you. We need to modify this to carry you around outside.”

  “The mini-projectors?” Sami asked.

  Jennifer picked up a small device from a dozen laying on her desk.

  The door tone sounded. Stephen Mendoza and Jake Hargrove entered followed by Ani and Dr. Ami.

  The two men looked at the robot.

  “This is what Dr. Gunn sent us from FutureBotics,” Jennifer said. “Do you think JennaTech can modify it for the ladies here?”

  The two engineers went to the robot and inspected, Jake opened up its blouse, and Stephen looked at the hands.

  “We've got a long way to go,” Jake said. He sent an admiring look at Ani. “A very long way to go.”

  “It looks workable,” Stephen said. “What do we want to accomplish today?”

  “Work with the crew, come up with a plan, and let’s mock up a simulation for the head to see how well the projectors perform,” Jennifer said.

  “Who’s going to be our guinea pig for the mockup?” Stephen asked.

  “I’d like to do a dexterity test to see if the whole project is feasible,” Dr. Ami said.

  “Ani, could you set up the engineering drawings over here?” Stephen said.

  Ani created a three-dimensional display of the robot.

  Stephen looked at the projectors on the desk. “Ani, place the projector drawing here.” He held his palm open to the right of the robot. “The face projector should go on the sternum here.” He placed his hand at the indicated location.

  Stephen manipulated the objects on the sternum of the drawing and began to fit the drawing of the projector into the robot.

  “Ani, could I have a workstation to begin programming the interface?”

  “Sure.”

  A standing desk, keyboard, mouse, and a large display appeared. Jake walked over and set his HoloPad down. His shirtless male avatar appeared to the right of the display. After he typed some commands, he said, “I have access to the robot and Projectors A, B, and C.”

  Jennifer lifted the projectors and set them aside. “Can you override Kiki’s built-in AI, Jake?”

  “Already done,” Jake said.

  Dr. Ami looked over Jake’s shoulder and assisted him. Ani and Sami went over to the drawing Stephen was working on. He had moved to the wrists of the robot and restructured the titanium radius and ulna to accommodate the projectors.

  The engineers had been working for an hour. “Time for a bagel break,” Jennifer said.

  “Good idea,” Jake said. “Do you have lox for the bagels?”

  The humans had their bagels properly schmeared, and their drinks and the virtuals were gathered in the group as well.

  “So, we need three projectors per unit?” Stephen asked.

  “We can’t run barefoot on the beach?” Ani asked.

  “We can do five,” Stephen said.

  Sami’s face became flushed. “Six.”

  “Why six?” Jake asked.

  He immediately received disgusting looks from the four women.

  “Six, it is,” he said.

  “We’re ready to test the robot with three projectors,” Stephen said. Dr. Ami, do you have some surgical adhesive available?”

  She looked at the ceiling. The dumbwaiter on the forward wall sounded a tone, and the panel opened. Several packages and surgical instruments were on the platform.

  “Jake?” Stephen asked.

  “I've got a rudimentary interface programmed,” Jake said. “Dr. Ami, you will have complete control of the robot. The bionics are two-way so that you will have sensation and control over your body. Your face and hands will be HTVR.”

  Stephen and Dr. Ami applied adhesive and attached the projectors in the locations Stephen specified on the drawing.

  “Jake, do a diagnostic,” Stephen said.

  The robot moved its limbs and walked around the room. The head swiveled in several directions.

  “The diagnostic test was successful,” the robot said.

  “Dr. Ami, you’re up,” Stephen said.

  “Wish me luck,” Dr. Ami said as she left the room.

  “Implementing the interface between the robot and Ami’s AI,” Jake said.

  A digital representation of Ami’s face began to appear replacing Kiki. Her eyes focused and moved around as she swiveled her head and, finally, her face rendered.

  “Welcome back, Doctor,” Jennifer said. “Are you functioning?”

  “It takes some time to form all of the connections,” Dr. Ami said. Her hands began to render. She held her right hand up. “Anyone got some keys?”

  Jake pulled out a key ring with five keys and set it on the desk.

  She struggled for a moment. “I need my vision to supplement my senses,” Dr. Ami said. She lifted the keys with her right hand. She stared intently at them as she manipulated all five keys into position to insert. “I think I’ve got it.” She closed her eyes and did the same manipulation faster. She switched hands and performed the same with her left hand. “Let me try something more difficult.”

  She walked over to an empty space. “Implement Simulation One Bravo,” Dr. Ami said.

  A human body on an operating table appeared in the space. The body was intubated, and there was a surgical light shining down. An array of equipment and displays surrounded the operating table indica
ting life signs.

  Jake was particularly interested. “Jake, please bring me that tray of instruments,” Dr. Ami said. He went to the dumbwaiter and retrieved the tray. The group gathered around the table as Ami prepared the area.

  “This fifty-four-year-old male patient suffers from hereditary spherocytosis,” Dr. Ami said. “His symptoms have become acute, which indicates the need for a splenectomy to reduce complications from the disease. Ani will act as my surgical nurse.”

  “You’re going to remove the spleen?” Jake asked.

  “Correct, Jake.”

  “Are you going to use the laparoscopic or open method?” Jake said.

  “A DocTube fan, I see,” Dr. Ami said. “The laparoscopic method is much less invasive and more complex. It’ll provide a greater challenge to my surgical dexterity. I’ll morsalize the spleen and remove sections.”

  “I’ve watched both methods,” Jake said. “There’s always lots of blood.”

  “I’ve placed the patient on his left side and sterilized the area to be incised. If anyone is afraid of blood, now is the time to turn away.”

  Dr. Ami brought the blade to the patient. “I’m making a two-centimeter incision medial to lateral.” Blood began pouring out of the wound. “This one is a bleeder. Suction, Ani.”

  There was an audible wretch and then two quick thumps as Jakes body hit the deck.

  “I hate it when that happens,” Dr. Ami said. “Sami, get some apple juice for Jake. Make sure he is breathing comfortably.”

  Dr. Ami’s actions began to accelerate. The two virtual humans worked in perfect concert. In fifteen minutes, they had completed the operation and sutured the wound.

  “The operation was a success.” Dr. Ami looked at Jake. “How is our other patient?”

  “I must have been light-headed,” Jake said. “I didn’t have enough to eat.”

  Jennifer laughed. “Did we get that on video?”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  Stephen refocused the group. “Dr. Ami, will our system work?”