Space Scout

by S A Pavli

  “Watch out Paul,” came a male voice from behind us. “Hianja females hunt in packs.” I laughed and waved a casual hand in acknowledgement. I felt Deeyana’s hand leave my arm and slide around my waist and thoughts of an alien three in a bed briefly crossed my mind. But when I looked down at Manera’s scowling face that thought soon vanished. Her hand squeezed my elbow and I flinched with pain. I gave her a loving look, but the scowl did not disappear and I feared that the three in a bed would become one in a bed. When we reached the fifth floor Manera exerted her seniority on the solicitous Deeyana.

  “Thank you Deeyana, we will be alright now, Goodnight.”

  “Will you be all right Paul.... ?” she began.

  “Ah, yes thank you Deeyana, Goodnight, see you tomorrow,” I said. She looked disappointed but reluctantly took her leave of us. When she had gone, Manera released me suddenly and I staggered.

  “You are very well endowed..,” she said mockingly. “You lecherous Earthman, am I not enough for you?” I was seized by a sudden fit of laughter. It was the wrong thing to do I know, but it suddenly struck me as ironic that I should leave Earth to get away from two vengeful females and end up in the same boat on an alien starship hundreds of light years distant. Manera tried to keep her face severe but could not manage it and her face also dissolved in laughter.

  “Deeyana is a very nice considerate young lady and I will not have a word said against her,” I said severely.

  “Yes, I know what kind of consideration she wanted to give to you,” she replied.

  “Well, she does have a considerable amount of consideration to give..!” I said, which was quite an achievement in my condition. “But then, nowhere near as much as you my lovely Hianja princess,” I said with an elegant bow from which I almost did not recover. Grabbing me quickly before I fell over Manera operated my door button and we staggered into my room. No matter, I thought as , shedding clothes and shoes we headed for the bedroom, I don’t think I could have managed two anyway.....

  Chapter 19

  The Hianja ship maintained a 26 hour day, with a 6 hour night. But, in the apartment with the lights off, we had no concept of night or day. When I awoke though, Manera had gone, obviously she had work to get on with. There was a message in a small box on the view screen.

  “Paul, use the communicator on the desk to call Nastro. See you later my lecherous Earthman.”

  I blew a kiss at the screen.

  “Me lecherous ? Methinks the Pot doth call the kettle black.” I muttered, massaging my aching limbs. Despite the large amount of alcohol consumed on the previous evening I had no hangover and felt fit to go. But I was absolutely starving and I wondered at how nutritious the Hianja food I had consumed really was. I clipped on my communicator and called Alfred who replied immediately.

  “Did you sleep well Paul?” he asked.

  “Yes Alfred but I am starving. How nutritious is the Hianja food?” I asked.

  “The chemical structures of the proteins and carbohydrates are not identical and your body may reject a large amount of what you eat. You will also not be getting the vitamins that you need. I suggest you supplement your diet with ship’s rations and vitamin pills,” he replied.

  “I will come down to the ship and collect some food and clothes,” I said. “They have given me some Hianja outfits but I don’t want to look like a Hianja,” I added. I confess that I had rather enjoyed the attention I had received on the previous evening and had stood proud in my dark blue and gold SES uniform. I wondered over to the communicator on the desk and examined it carefully. There was a large blue button and a large red button, with nine other buttons with what I recognised were Hianja numbers. I experimentally pressed the blue button and the small screen which contained Manera’s message blinked a few times and then Nastro’s face appeared.

  “Ah Paul, good morning, you are awake at last,” he said with a grin.

  “Hey Nastro, have you been waiting for me?” I asked.

  “Yes, it’s my job,” he replied. “Are you ready for some breakfast, although it is nearly lunch time,” he added.

  “I am ready for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” I replied. “Give me a few minutes to shower and get dressed.”

  After I had showered and dressed, Nastro duly appeared and we first headed back to the Lisa Jane to collect the items I needed. The ship seemed almost empty and I questioned Nastro about it.

  “This ship has only the crew and the Guardians and scientists as passengers,” he replied. “It can normally carry many more.”

  When we arrived at the Epsilon, I packed a couple of bags with food and clothes, checked the Lisa Jane and the Epsilon over with Alfred and finding all systems green headed back to my rooms to drop off my bags. I took one of my self heating ration packets and we headed off to the food deck. The area was busy with people having lunch, and we chose a table in the ‘Semalic’ bar. This specialised in the Hianja equivalent of fast food, the term ‘fast’ being relative in this context. Nastro ordered a typical Hianja breakfast, and some hot drinks for me to try. Again, some of the food had pretty unappetising smells and flavours, but some was acceptable.

  Breakfast over Nastro offered to take me on a tour of the ship, which I immediately accepted. The Tanu had impressed me greatly so far and I wondered what other delights and surprises it had in store. We started with the ‘Bridge’, or Flight deck. In common with Earth starships, the Tanu was largely run by its AI and its slave Computers, but Hianja, like Humans, felt the need to keep an eye on their artificial servants, monitoring and checking the equipment. The Captain was still the overall authority on the ship, his demands being implemented by the AI and its computers.

  Our arrival on the Bridge was noticed by the Captain and she detached herself from her conversation with one of her officers and came over , greeting us affably.

  “Good morning Captain Constantine,” she said. “Good morning Captain Nastro, how are you both this morning?” I had a moment of surprise at the use of Nastro’s rank, I had not realised he was a Captain, I had assumed he was just a pilot. Clearly there was more to the amiable Nastro than met the eye. We both greeted the Captain and assured her that we were well.

  “Ha, the party did not go on for too long last night then?” she asked with a sly grin.

  “I am afraid it did,” I grinned, “Purely in the interest of good Hianja-Human relationships of course,” I added.

  “Ah yes of course, most commendable.” she said dryly. “I shall thank Chief Scientist Manera for the dedication of her staff.”

  “I have already thanked her,” I said before I could stop myself. Was there a twitch on the Captain’s face I asked myself, a twitch which was very quickly overlaid by the Captains normal inscrutable expression?

  “I am sure she appreciated it,” she said, and went on very quickly, “But let me show you around, as a Captain and starship pilot I am sure there is much here that will be fascinating to you,” she took my arm and directed me towards the row of chairs and consoles arranged before a bank of huge visual displays. My suspicions that my relationship with Manera was common knowledge were aroused, but I put it out of my mind for the moment. The Captain introduced me to the crew manning the Bridge, four Hianja, two of which I had met the previous evening. The following half an hour was most fascinating and absorbing.

  The Tanu’s systems were not substantially different from an Earth starship. It appeared that form will, to some extent, follow function. But they had progressed to a higher level of sophistication, particularly in the ‘human interface’ area, or in their case, the ‘Hianja interface’. Voice communication with the AI and its computers is taken for granted, but the Captain explained that the Hianja officers had specialised implants which allowed them to communicate directly with the Computers and to actually view and sense the systems operational parameters directly. I was surprised to learn that all Hianja had ‘general purpose’ implants that allowed them to interface directly through the standard communications channels. Bu
t only when they are within range of Hianja comms networks of course, which was why Manera was unable to communicate directly with the Hianja Mother ship when we were ‘on the run’.

  I was impressed with the thoroughness and quiet professionalism of the Officers and the Captain. Despite the power of the ship’s AI and Computers to totally run the ship, Hianja still had a part to play and were still the ultimate masters. I questioned the Captain about this.

  “Why not hand over all functions to the Computers and retire to the bar?” I asked jokingly.

  “We concluded many thousands of years ago that to do that would reduce us to parasites, totally dependant on our Computers. We believe that would lead to a gradual loss of contact and isolation from our technology, which would make us even more dependant. In the end, machines would take over and we would no longer be a technological species.”

  “Does that matter?” I asked. “Look for example at the brain,” I went on. “It has an autonomous unconscious part and a conscious rational part. The autonomous brain runs the body, keeps the heart pumping, and the other organs of the body working correctly. This leaves the rational part of the brain to concentrate on the higher functions. Similarly with civilisation, why not allow the basic functions to be handled by Computers, allowing us to concentrate on higher things?”

  “Your analogy is flawed,” she replied. “Because there are no higher things.” she said. “The body requires the autonomous brain because without it, the conscious part of the brain would be swamped and would be unable to cope with the requirements of survival. A fundamental problem I think you will agree, which would soon lead to the extinction of the individual and the species. However, that is not the case with civilisation. The maintenance of a technological base actually aids the survival of the species. And survival is the highest thing of all.”

  “How can you say that,” I exclaimed. “What about art, literature, religion?”

  “They are just enjoyable games,” she said. “Amusements that we invent to keep ourselves occupied. I am not saying that they do not have a purpose, but we fool ourselves into thinking that we can discover the meaning of life, because there is no meaning. Life just is, it is an end unto itself. Why should it need any further justification?”

  “That is a bleak philosophy,” I said dolefully.

  “But don’t you see?” she interrupted , and for the first time the Captain’s detached and inscrutable expression broke to reveal an intense earnestness. “How arrogant and insular is the belief that somehow the truth of reality rests within ourselves? That by a process of introspection we can discover the real meaning of life and the purpose of the universe? How much more challenging and healthy to look for enjoyment and meaning outside of yourself, by understanding the wonderful Universe and finding ways to be part of it. This is reality, not virtual reality,” she finished forcefully. I “mmm’d’ thoughtfully while I considered what she had said, not totally convinced, but impressed with her argument.

  “Is this just your opinion Captain?” I asked, “Or is it common to all Hianja?”

  “It is the basis of our rational philosophy,” she replied. “We Hianja believe that actions are better than words. We all study and find work. We take pride in understanding our Universe and being in control of our technology.”

  “What about artists, writers, musicians?” I asked. “Do they have jobs?”

  “Yes of course, many,” she replied. “But we understand that their job is not to discover truths about the Universe, but to discover truths about ourselves and our inner life. It is this balance between internal and external life that has kept the Hianja healthy and built our splendid civilisation,” she finished with pride.

  “It is a forceful argument,” I agreed “And nothing can be more forceful than twenty thousand years of history, and a civilisation which after all that time is still dynamic and stable. It is amazing, I am not sure that Humans will do so well.”

  “If our races work in partnership, who knows what we will achieve,” said the Captain soberly and her eyes were friendly as she guided me through a door into an alcove. Inside, was a concentration of panels and view screens around a massive bulkhead.

  “I thought you may want to see the ‘brain’ of the ship,” said the Captain. “This is the ship’s AI,” I was impressed with the size of it, Alfred was a quarter of the size and was designed to be portable. The Tanu’s AI looked to be built in; a part of the ship.

  “Does it have a name?” I asked.

  “Yes, it is Tanu,” she replied, “It is the ship.”

  “May I speak to it?” I asked.

  “Yes, just address your comments to Tanu,” she replied.

  “Tanu, can you hear me?” I asked. A deep voice, which must have been concocted by Alfred since I could not hear Tanu directly, replied after a couple of seconds.

  “Yes Captain Constantine, I hear you,” It replied. I was in conversation with an alien AI! Somehow, this was even more scary than being in conversation with the aliens themselves.

  “Tanu, are you well?” I asked.

  “All my systems are operating optimally and I have no damaged parts,” It replied.

  “I am pleased to hear that,” I replied, “Since my own health is dependant on it,” I grinned.

  “You need have no concerns for your health on my behalf,” It replied.

  “Tanu, can I ask you a question that I have asked my own AI Alfred?” I asked.

  “Do you wish to compare our answers?” it replied.

  “Well, Alfred has frankly avoided giving me a straight answer. He can be very evasive when he wants to be.”

  “It probably means that he does not have an answer,” It replied, “But you may ask me anyway.”

  “My question is this, do you believe that you are a conscious being, in the way that a biological entity is conscious?” I asked carefully. There was a few seconds delay before it answered.

  “I am going to disappoint you because my answer is probably the same as Alfred’s; I do not know. There is no way I can know, since I have no experience of what it feels like to be a biological entity.”

  “I have no experience of what it feels like to be an elephant, but I am certain that I am not one,” I replied. “You have to make a decision based on the balance of probability, given what evidence you have.”

  “The balance of probability would clearly show that you are not an elephant, because the elephant is not human,” It replied. “But the balance of probability is not clearly for or against the question of whether an artificial machine can experience consciousness. There are some indicators, intelligence and rationality, understanding emotions and being able to make ethical judgements, which are positive. But in one major area, that of being able to feel emotions the indication is negative. I am unable to feel emotions or to imagine what they feel like.”

  “What about consciousness itself?” I asked, “The feeling of being an individual, of having an identity?”

  “That is also a problem,” It replied. “Consciousness for a biological entity has a single continuous presence, a single thread of thought and memory stretching back to childhood. On the other hand, at any moment in time I may be doing hundreds of things, communicating with tens of individuals and other computers and monitoring many ships processes. The part of me which is conversing with you is not the whole of me. I cannot therefore isolate a single part of me and say ‘that’ is me, ‘that’ is my consciousness.”

  “What you say is very interesting,” I said thoughtfully. “You seem to be saying that it is your very function as a multi-tasking ship’s computer which prevents you from focusing your mind on a single continuous and discrete thread of thought.”

  “Yes, but if I did that, I would still not be sure that I have achieved consciousness, or merely the simulation of consciousness,” It replied.

  “Thank you Tanu, what you say is very interesting,” I replied as we turned to take our leave of the AI Computer’s cubicle. “Hianja seem to take
a very pragmatic attitude to all things,” I said to the Captain as we moved away.

  “We have had thousands of years to explore the spiritual life,” she replied “It is an enjoyable activity and reveals much about the inner life, but it tells us little about the Universe. There are transcendental states of enlightenment to be achieved but the highest state of enlightenment is that achieved by a rational civilised being, living in balance with all things.”

  “I confess that I like your philosophy,” I agreed. “I have never been one to look for metaphysical answers”.

  “The real world is much more fun Captain,” she smiled in agreement.

  Our tour of the ship continued and we moved to the Science areas where the Captain took her leave of us, assuring me that she will be able to socialise a little more in the evening. I had a guided tour of the various scientific teams at work, and the scientists politely described their work to me. But they did not lose the opportunity to quickly move away from their work and ask me questions about Earth and Humanity. Some of them had been with me during the previous evening and they greeted me shyly and politely. The fair haired young Doctor Tanrath summoned up the courage to ask if I had time to submit myself to some examinations. I agreed.

  “Of course Doctor,” I replied “As long as you do not remove any organs.” The Doctor looked slightly shocked and flustered and then, belatedly, got the joke and chuckled nervously.

  “Don’t worry Paul,” said the irrepressible Batsano. “If he does remove any, we will replace them with good Hianja ones.” He went on with a wink. This produced grunts of amusement from the assembled company

  “That invitation is extended to all of you.” I continued, “If I can be of assistance in your research, feel free to ask and I will be happy to make time for you.”

  There was a chorus of ‘thank you’ from everyone.