Delighted with the super-intelligent computer, Jason grew philosophical. "Tell me something, PF24. Do you think you're conscious?"
"Oh, that's just so DIFFICULT around all these boring colonists. They're all so... PROVINCIAL!"
"But, are you conscious?"
"I'm just trying to stay awake, that's all. Jason, you're growing tedious. Ask me something relevant. Ask what Ethera just happens to be saying about you to her girl-friends right now."
WHAT?! Jason was stunned. And, then suspicious. "All right, I'm not so sure you are a computer after all."
"Oh, how absurd! Of course I am, you silly boy. Ask me to calculate something."
"Okay, but give me the numerical answer immediately, with no spoken words until after the number."
"Whatever you say, love."
Jason knew a complex calculation by heart. "Divide 332,211
by 112..."
"2.96001, right?"
That was the right answer. And before he had even finished giving it the question! He was about to ask it to divide 332,211
by 112,233. It had extrapolated the rest of the divisor from the pattern of the numbers! No human could do that, except perhaps an idiot-savant. And this was no idiot.
"Amazing."
"Yes, I KNOW. Aren't I though??"
Jason chuckled. "Okay, let's get some work done. Oh, wait a minute. Say, uh, what was Ethera saying to her friends about me?"
"Oh! Getting paranoid, Jason? Well, let's see. She loves the way you're 'built.' Hmm.. Yes, I suppose she has a point.
But, I'd have my face redone, if I were you."
"What else did she say?", he prompted dryly.
"Oh, they discussed the reputation of Adventurers from Infinity City, and certain unmentionable talents you're all rumored to have. You humans are so OBSESSED by this mating thing. I find it simply BANAL."
This thing was incredible! No wonder the crew shut it off when they started to get in trouble. It's linguistic 'nets had become saturated with foolishness.
Jason made an inquiry. "PF24, tell me. What are some of Ethera's interests? How does she spend her time?"
"Oh, you voyeur! I know YOUR type. It won't be safe for girls to walk the decks alone anymore! Her interests? Her visual scanning rate indicates this. Her eyes are the most active whenever MEN go by. She scans them up and down like no other girl on board. And, I WON'T tell you where her gaze tends to linger. Her principle interest is men. That's what she talks the most about. How does she spend her time? Well, Ethera doesn't do very much other than eat, sleep, and preen. Oh, and she listens to music a lot."
"What kind of music?"
"She spends the largest percentage of her time listening to digitally preserved recordings of an ancient band called 'THE
BEATLES.'
THE BEATLES! PERFECT. HE STILL HAD SOME OF THEIR STUFF
HE'D BOUGHT BACK WHEN HE WAS AN ADOLESCENT. He had met more than one girl, in the past, who was fascinated by the ancient legend of the Beatles. Jason filed this tactical information away for later use.
"PF24, I want you to take a look at Dalton's plan for repairing your ruptures, and tell me what you think."
"Sure... (Oh, GOD Jason, your computer is SO SLOW...) Hmm.
Oh, interesting. Did Dalton do all of this?"
"Yes."
"What a bright lad! Remarkable work! I really cannot think of ANY improvement that would have more than just a negligible affect on the implementation schedule. You know, I never dreamed anyone outside of CONOVER could come up with such an efficient and meticulous plan."
"I think his father IS from CONOVER."
"REAL-ly? What in the world is a CONOVARIAN doing with one of you Infinity City types?"
"That's a long story."
"Yes, and humans communicate SO SLOWLY."
Jason wanted to know if CONOVARIANS were "humans." PF24
told him they were, with just modifications to their genetic structure eliminating ALL the genetic defects accumulated throughout humanities' history. Plus, they were modified to be good at engineering, in the image of Dr. Henry Conover.
15. REPAIR WORK
The intelligence of PF24, with both of its brain hemispheres operating, made repairs much easier. Following the schedule outlined by Jason and Dalton, PF24 soon had its repair robots busy throughout the colony ship. PF24 was so human-like it even seemed to have an ego...
One day, Jason was in the control room to repair a sub-assembly of PF24 itself, which had malfunctioned during the accident, and not even PF24 and the colony ship's utility robots could get working. He asked PF24 what was wrong.
PF24 responded wearily, "Well, I don't know. That module wasn't designed with enough internal sensors. I get nothing."
Jason puzzled over a diagram of the sub-assembly displayed at a nearby viewscreen. "No internal sensors? It's just a caching circuit for part of your atomic memory, right, and doesn't do more than that?"
"Right. Just a reference memory cache. Rarely even need it."
"You must have SOME indication of malfunction."
"Jason, dear. If it was a simple problem, I would have fixed it myself. You're the big talent here. That's why you get paid the big bucks."
"Yeah. By the way, make sure my computer is updated with all repairs done to the colony ship. And copy over your complete design, too. Except the map of your intuitive 'nets."
"Well, I should think a copy of my personality would be one of your chief desires."
"Not really," Jason said dryly.
He swung open the access panel to the sub-assembly in question, exposing the dark interior. None of its status lights were even on. He took a small flashlight and looked around at the compact arrangement of memory tanks and optic cabling. He found the circuit breaker. It was showing off! "Hey, the power's off on this thing."
"Yes, correct. Oh, go to the head of the class, Jason!"
Jason flipped the breaker switch up, and the unit hummed back into life. Its status lights glowed yellow while the unit cycled through a self-check, then quickly turned green indicating normal function.
Perplexed, Jason asked, "PF24, why didn't you just tell me its power was off?"
"Well, am I supposed to do everything around here?!"
"You must have been able to detect a big change in power consumption."
"Oh, aren't WE the Grand Wizard of all computer systems.
Whoever said I was perfect, anyway. Hmph!"
Jason was amused. It was trying to hide its own inadequacy.
AN EGO FUNCTION! IN A computer?! Jason chuckled to himself.
"What's so funny, laughing boy?", the offended machine asked.
"Oh, nothing, nothing." He closed the sub-assemblies'
cabinet back up. "What's next on the agenda?"
"ROBOTA, ROBOTA, I TOLKA ROBOTA!"
Jason exclaimed, "WHAT?! PF24! What's wrong?! Is there a problem with the robots??"
"Settle down, old man! It's just an expression... Just an ironic little ancient idiom I picked up while browsing through my atomic library. It's in a dead language called 'Russian' and it means 'Work, work, and only work.' Satisfied?"
"Uh, yeah... What's next on the agenda?"
Repairs progressed on.
16. ANOTHER ENCOUNTER
After a few days of initial repair, Dalton and Jason had been invited by Durdaine to a mess-hall in Colonist Segment #1
where they could dine anytime instead of making the tedious spacebike trek back to their sailship. At the end of one such dinner there, Dalton left Jason deep in conversation with several fascinated ladies, and went for a walk, thinking about Monique.
He left the mess hall and entered the soft white hallway lit by lighting panels at intervals along the ceiling. Colonist Segment #1 was so large that he rarely met anyone else along the way. Most were constrained in behavior, some even downright grim though all greeted him with civility and respect, a far cry from the cruel treatment he had often received on the low streets of Infinity
City. But those days were long gone now. Each colonist that passed, man or woman or child, wore a simple jump-suit style uniform lightly colored in solid shades of powder blue, pistachio, yellow, or pink depending on the person's station and taste.
He walked and walked unable to keep his mind on anyone but the girl Monique. When would he see her again? Ever?! A heavy, bitter-sweet emotion welled up inside him. He had felt it again and again in the last few days every time he thought of pretty Monique, especially lying awake in his cubicle at night.
Sometimes the feeling was so strong he felt like smashing his fist through a wall. Other times he just wanted to lay down and die. What was the matter with him?! He longed to talk to Jason about what he was feeling but could not bring himself to speak of it. Ah, sweet Monique!
What would it be like to be friends with her? To sit quietly and just talk with her! But what could he possibly find to say if he had the chance?! What if he should run into her around the very next corner? What would he do? What would he say? Dalton became frustrated with himself, and ground his teeth in vexation at his foolish thoughts. Why wouldn't Jason tell him what to do?! He had asked almost everyday but Jason would always just dismiss him with some suggestion such as 'Just go playback an entertainment show, and see what the hero does!' But this was reality, and Dalton strongly desired Jason's sage, or at least experienced, advice. Jason evaded him again and again.
Dalton had not again used V-R to view Monique. The idea of doing that somehow cheapened her. He did enjoy entering V-R at the end of the day, though, just to relax and play around. Just the last evening, he had instructed the colony ship computer PF24
to scan that wonderful garden where he and Monique had met, and copy it into the sailship computer's atomic memory. Dalton then had the sailship computer simulate the garden in his virtual-reality. Sitting in the pilot room chair of the sailship with the V-R helmet blotting out 'the Big' reality he would move about the simulated magical garden, using foot gestures to instruct the computer which way he wanted to go. He floated up to a flower-well beneath a tree. This was where Monique had stood, and smiled at him! He spoke a few instructions using the V-R
modeling command language, and made the well's tiny little pink roses all float up in the air, and begin drifting all about him in relaxing random patterns. If only Jason's V-R setup could simulate olfactory phenomena. If only Monique, as delicate as one of these little roses, were beside him here in V-R right now!
There were so many wonderful things he could show her. What fun they could have!
As Dalton drifted along another corridor, sighing at the memory, he turned a corner, and found himself at the tall door of the banquet hall where they had initially dined. It was open slightly! He peeked in. The hall was empty, dark, and quiet, probably only used for special occasions. He stole in, closing the massive door quietly behind him. The only illumination came from small lights here and there at the base of the walls.
Dalton walked over to the table where he had first seen Monique. He touched the chair where she had sat. It was made of polished wood, cool and smooth to the touch. THIS WAS RIGHT
WHERE SHE HAD BEEN THAT NIGHT! he thought. If only she was there right now! He sighed, and thought he felt something fluttering in his chest.
He looked over at the long blue curtains separating the banquet hall from the enchanting garden behind. They were not closed all the way. There was a dark gap. He began walking slowly along the table toward the curtain, touching the back of each chair that he passed. All his senses seemed heightened this evening. There was not a sound in the room, except for his footsteps. Was he alone? The temperature like everywhere else aboard the ship was just right.
He reached the break in the curtain, and peaked out. The beautiful garden was lit as on the previous night, but was empty of people. He slipped through the curtain and entered. He heard the trees rustling above. THE SHIP MUST BE GENERATING A BREEZE!
He felt it touch his cheek with gentle coolness. What a pleasant feeling! He looked around. Where had he first seen her? He went off in the same direction as before.
He turned here and there, and came at last to the tree rising up from the well where Monique had stood gazing at the delightful flowering rose bushes encircling the tree. It was just as he had seen it in V-R! Dalton walked up to the well, and looked down at the same flowers, almost expecting them to float up into the air all around him again. Why did girls love pretty things like these so much?
Behind him and to the side, someone was watching him, and wondering what he was thinking about, frowning down at the pink flowers. He must be wondering where she was! Wouldn't he be surprised to know that she was secretly watching him... Now he was looking way up at the tree. He folded his arms and cocked his head to the side. Maybe he's a poet and he's composing a poem about me. That would be so sweet. He has the thoughtful looks of a poet. Dark and mysterious. Oh, I want to talk with him so much! Should I call his name?
Dalton did not know why, but he turned suddenly, feeling as if someone was watching him. At first he saw no one. Then, he heard a tiny laugh! Over behind that bush there! He grinned, then quickly stole over, and around the other side of the bush.
He crept quietly, coming slowly around to the other side!
But, no one was there! He looked all around and saw only bushes, and more of the brick flower-wells, some with trees growing out of the center. There was also a two-person bench made out of wrought iron, painted white. He went over and plopped down. Did he just hear the sound of tiny bells? Bells and laughter? He must be imagining things. It had been a long day. He had worked so hard designing the repair plan hoping to impress Jason. Jason was so incredible! He knew about everything! He could handle any situation! How could he have been so relaxed at that banquet that first night, surrounded by so many strangers, all from another world?! How did he talk so easily with that beautiful lady?! And, with her very father sitting right next to him. He felt so useless compared to the mighty Jason. But he still wanted to follow him for the rest of his life!
And then, someone was touching his neck, running soft warm fingers along it, and then up into his hair! He froze, his eyes widening in amazement at the wonderful sensation. He knew it must be her. This was a fantasy come true!
The hand pulled away, and he turned to find Monique leaning against the bench from behind, smiling down at him with her dark haunting eyes. One magic strand of her golden hair drifted down, touching against his cheek. Looking up into her sweet face all he could think to say was, "Hi!"
She had hoped that he would have begun reciting his poem for her. But, his voice was so pleasant, and he was irresistibly sweet. What delicate features he had! His lips formed a straight line as he gazed up at her with his soft, dark eyes.
She giggled in spite of herself. What a silly girlish thing to do! She asked, "May I sit down beside you?"
"Yes!", he breathed eagerly. "Please, by all means!"
She moved around the bench to his right, and daintily sat beside him. Tonight, she was wearing a bright white linen blouse with ruffled collar and sleeves. Around her neck was a dark brown choker with tiny little bells all around it that tinkled sometimes as she moved. Her blouse fell down to her thighs. She was wearing tight black leotards, and golden sandals. Dalton found himself counting her toes. Then, he looked into her face.
She looked into his. Her eyes made Dalton think of a dark pool reflecting a bright silver moon he had once seen on a far away world. He suddenly looked away, then down in front of him in mild embarrassment. Then he peaked back at her, and smiled.
Being near her made everything feel perfect.
Every movement he made seemed to cast wave after wave of a magical spell over her. She could not take her eyes off him.
She could not even move. He was some kind of mysterious enchanting being. And yet she felt completely at ease beside him. Was she still on the bench? Or was she now floating?
He noticed her small, fair hands resting in her lap. And slowly, he r
eached over his hand gently placing it over hers.
Oh, his world was now changed forever! He was touching her! The sensation of such intimate delight charged through him, electrifying him from head to toe. He looked deeply into her eyes and drank of her beauty and presence.
At his divine touch, Monique felt a melting tenderness that was almost unbearable. His dark brown eyes were so warm and friendly and trusting. His dark hair was so wavy. She wanted to run her hands through it so much. LATER! His face, especially his mouth, looked like it had been sculpted by some romantic artist from Earth's ancient Renaissance. Was this some mysterious prince from a world of castles, and knights, and courtly ladies and gentlemen? He squeezed her hand ever so slightly. She involuntarily let forth a soft "Oh!"
The two sat spellbound by each others company, delighting in the handholding, mystified be such new and breathtaking feelings.
Dalton moved his hand across the girl's. She was so warm, so alive! He felt the daintiness of her tiny fingers, and slowly blinked his eyes as a great feeling of tenderness swept over him.
Now he held her hand in his, FOR THE FIRST TIME! Oh, he was holding her hand!
Their eyes explored each others face, delighting in the memorization of each detail. The minutes drifted by. Dalton slowly reached across his other hand, and now held both of hers.
Both Dalton and Monique sighed deeply at the divine pleasure of touching each other. The two felt they could sit this way forever, just enjoying each other's company, and the simple pleasure of holding the hands of someone special for the very first time.
Soon, several hours had passed! The lights of the garden began to switch off slowly, one by one. Monique's eyes widened in surprise, "It must be very late! The lights turn off automatically!"
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