by R. E. Weber
Zoom
Status
Configure
Off
He selected Zoom and a rectangle appeared in the centre of his vision with a small sliding pointer above it. With a bit of practice, he found that he could easily move the slider right or left, and so, selecting Ruby’s eyes, he zoomed right in so they completely filled the rectangle. For a few seconds, he stared at her eyes, transfixed. He tried zooming in even closer to examine the structure of her eye, but he found that if he zoomed in too close the image became blurred, so he zoomed back out again. It was then he noticed that Ruby was doing exactly the same to him, staring deep into his eyes. She looked almost hypnotised.
‘If you select Zoom, you should be able to see a rectangular viewing window with a slide bar above it. By selecting the pointer on the slide bar, you will be able to increase the magnification of the image within the viewing window. You should note however, that if you increase zoom towards its maximum setting, the image will lose clarity. The reason for this is because there has been no enhancement to your own vision. It will only bring out detail that your own eye is able to pick up. Level two companions are able to enhance your own vision, along with several other senses.’
‘Telephoto lenses,’ said Theo. ‘I can’t wait to get those’
‘Level two Companions are only available once you have completed your Orientation,’ said First Mentor.
‘Oh,’ said Theo, disappointed.
‘What does Status do?’ said Ruby.
‘Please activate it and observe the response,’ said First Mentor.
Theo watched as Ruby’s eyes flicked one way and then the other. Then she looked back at Theo and read out the information being displayed:
Subject: Logan, Theopolis James
Species: Human.
Residence: 5726/5, Quad 426, Polisium Prime
Health: Nominal
Status: Orientation to Affinity in progress
Mentor: First Mentor of Polisium Prime
Position: None
Infringements: None
Accolades: None
Security status: Guest – Level 1
Threat Level: None detected
No further information available.
Close
‘What’s an infringement?’ said Theo.
‘Acting in contravention to Affinity Regulations.’
‘You mean, breaking the law?’ said Ruby.
‘Correct. Now, if I could now ask you to close that status page.’
Ruby’s eyes flicked quickly from side to side. ‘Done,’ she replied.
‘Theo, can I now ask you to activate the option Translate.’
‘Done,’ said Theo, winking at Ruby as he spoke.
‘Tuho fi wod,’ said First Mentor.
Almost immediately, Theo heard the words in his head ‘Do you understand me?’ He could also see the word Common flash up in the bottom right hand corner of his vision, which quickly changed into a letter C.
‘Yes First Mentor, I do understand you.’
‘Good,’ said First Mentor.
‘Cool,’ said Theo, ‘a universal translator.’
‘Actually, that’s not strictly accurate. A level one companion will only translate languages known to its matrix.’
‘How many languages does it know then?’ said Theo.
‘Seventeen thousand, eight hundred and thirty three,’ said First Mentor. ‘All major languages and dialects within the Affinity.’
‘Oh, is that all?’ said Theo sarcastically.
‘Did you note the language identified?’ said First Mentor.
‘Yeh, you were talking Common,’ said Theo smirking.
‘I was indeed.’
‘That was a joke.’
‘I don’t get it,’ said Ruby.
‘The humour’ said First Mentor, ‘…is derived from a suggested misunderstanding of two possible meanings of the word Common: one to mean the name of the language spoken and the other to mean vulgar, inferior, coarse or plebeian.’
‘Oh right,’ said Ruby, even more confused.
‘I think you just killed it, First Mentor,’ said Theo.
‘It was never alive in the first place,’ said Ruby, grinning back at him.
‘Can I now ask you to activate the option Remember,’ said First Mentor.
Immediately, as Theo activated it, a small capital R appeared in the bottom right hand corner.
‘Can I now please ask you to listen to what I am about to say. This is an exercise designed to calibrate the translation matrix and assisted learning. I will now begin to speak in Affinity Common.’
First Mentor began speaking in Affinity common, while Theo and Ruby listened to the translation, which lagged a few seconds behind. Five minutes later, it paused, before speaking again, in English.
‘The exercise is now complete.’
‘Right,’ said Theo.
‘OK, First Mentor,’ said Ruby. ‘Now what do you want us to do?’
‘Please deactivate the Translate and Remember functions.’
‘Done,’ said Theo and Ruby together.
‘Theo, can you please say ‘Welcome to the Affinity’ in Affinity Common.’
‘Erm, how?’ said Theo, feeling a little stupid. ‘I don’t remem…’ but just as Theo was about to explain that he wasn’t very good at languages and couldn’t remember what First Mentor had said, suddenly the words just seemed to pop into his head.
‘Hemah su alyahtamoh,’ said Theo, surprised as he spoke.
‘Very good,’ said First Mentor.
‘How did I... I mean what’s happening? Did my companion just do that?’ said Theo.
‘No, Theo. You remembered it and you translated it.’
‘How?’ said Theo.
‘Assisted learning,’ said First Mentor. ‘When the functions Translate and Remember are enabled simultaneously and a translation is generated, the neural trigger in the base of your skull will activate. The associated translation will then be reinforced into your neural pathways. In essence, the neural trigger reminds your brain to remember the translation.’
‘So I won’t forget it?’
‘The information is now embedded in your long-term memory. As long as your brain continues to function normally, you will not forget what you have learnt.’
‘Even if the Companion gets switched off, removed or damaged?’ said Theo.
‘Correct,’ said First Mentor.
‘Why didn’t I get one of these at school?’
‘I don’t believe that your world has developed sufficient technology to allow this.’
‘Oh erm, I know that,’ said Theo. ‘It was just er, oh never mind.’
‘That’s amazing,’ said Ruby. ‘Can I have a go?’
‘Ruby, Hemah un Polisium da,’ said First Mentor.
‘Tamah,’ said Ruby, almost without thinking.
‘Oh I do like this,’ said Theo, grinning. ‘I’m like, Theo 2.0.’
‘I should advise you that you will still need to learn the language syntax for yourselves. The Companion will not help you with this. It is merely an aid to memory. It does not think for you.’
‘Well I guess I’ll need your help with that, Rubes,’ said Theo.
‘Yeh, for a cost,’ said Ruby, holding her hand out towards Theo, rubbing her fingers together, as if demanding money,
‘I expect you both to be proficient in the basics of Affinity Common within twelve to fifteen standard days,’ said First Mentor.
‘You expect me to learn a language in fifteen days?’ said Theo.
‘I will send you an accelerated language program. This will dump the basic vocabulary you will need into your memory, quickly. The rest of the time will be spent learning syntax and practicing conversational speech with an interactive agent. You are expected to spend several hours a week of your own time learning Affinity Common. This is not something I will teach you. You are both capable of doing this without my assistance. You may carry this out either alone or together.’
‘OK,’ said Theo.
‘Fine,’ said Ruby.
‘Do either of you have any questions before we close this subject?’ said First Mentor.
‘No,’ said Theo and Ruby together.
‘Good. In that case we are ready to move onto the Communicate function. The companion is capable of covert communication directly between two or more linked companions.’
‘You mean, we can talk privately to each other?’ said Ruby.
‘Correct. Ruby, can you please select the option Package. It appears under Communicate.’
‘Done,’ said Ruby.
‘This will allow you to generate a communication package to send to another companion. There should be further options underneath Communicate.’
‘Yes,’ said Ruby. ‘I can see Voice, Text, Freehand and Cancel.’
‘Please select Text,’ said First Mentor.
Ruby selected the option. Immediately underneath, a representation of a computer keyboard appeared.
‘I have laid out the text entry template in a familiar format,’ said First Mentor. ‘Simply focus on each letter, select it and it will appear in the box above. Use this to create a word. Any single word will do. Please do not speak the word out loud.’
Ruby typed out the word slowly on her virtual keyboard. It was slow and clumsy and hurt her eyes, but eventually the complete word appeared.
‘Now select Go,’ said First Mentor.
Ruby selected Go. Then another box appeared:
Logan, Theopolis James
First Mentor
Further destinations
‘Select Logan, Theopolis James from the list and then Go.’
Ruby did as she was instructed. A message then appeared:
Package sent
‘It seems to have gone,’ said Ruby.
‘Good,’ said First Mentor. ‘Now Theo, can you see a pulsing symbol at the bottom of your Companion screen?’
‘Yeh, it’s there, bottom-middle. That diamond shaped thing.’
‘This indicates that you have received a package. Select the symbol.’
Theo selected the symbol and a box appeared in the middle of his screen. At the top it said Chaudhry, Rubina, and underneath there was a single word:
Trousers
‘Trousers?’ said Theo. ‘What’s all that about? What’s wrong with my trousers?’
‘Oh, nothing,’ said Ruby. ‘It’s just a random word I thought of.’
‘You’re strange Rubes, you know that,’ said Theo.
‘Look who’s talking,’ said Ruby.
‘Email,’ said Theo. ‘We have that on Earth. There’s nothing special about that. I mean, it’s not exactly advanced, is it?’
‘Yeh, I was meaning to say,’ said Ruby. ‘I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but it’s a bit slow isn’t it, sending a message like that? A bit basic?’
‘Correct, it is the simplest form of communication and there are other far more efficient methods. However there are times when you will find this method useful. Theo, can you now please close down the message you have received and then select Continuous.’
‘Done,’ said Theo.
‘You should now be able to see the same send options as before.
‘Let me guess, you want me to select Voice,’ said Theo.
‘Correct,’ said First Mentor.
‘Done,’ said Theo. ‘It now wants a destination. Shall I select Ruby?’
‘Yes,’ said First Mentor.
‘OK done,’ said Theo. But as he spoke, he suddenly realised that his lips weren’t moving.
‘Whoooaah, this is weird.’
‘You’re telling me,’ said Ruby. ‘And while you’re at it, there’s no need to shout.’
‘Rubes, I’m not shouting. Look at me, my lips aren’t even moving.’
‘Oh god, this is really weird,’ said Ruby looking at Theo.
‘What’s going on First Mentor? How does this work?’ said Theo. There was no reply.
‘She can’t hear you, Theo,’ said Ruby. ‘You’re only talking to me.’
‘Hold on a mo,’ said Theo and selected Stop from the screen.
‘Can you hear me now, First Mentor?’ said Theo.
‘Yes, Theo.’
‘How does this work?’
‘In essence, the companion interrupts signals from your brain to your vocal chords and translates them into input which a companion can understand.’
‘Now that’s what I call communication,’ said Theo.
‘It’s strange,’ said Ruby. ‘I can hear you in my head, but you’re not talking. It’s a bit spooky to be honest.’
‘Telepathy,’ said Theo. ‘This just gets better and better.’
‘It is a little disorientating at first,’ said First Mentor. ‘However as you become accustomed to it, you will find it exceptionally useful.’
‘No kidding,’ said Ruby. ‘It’s incredible.’
‘Amazing,’ said Theo.
‘I should advise you, however, that there is a protocol to follow. You are advised against overuse of continuous voice communication like this. Some species consider it insulting to use this in their presence.’
‘But how would anybody know?’ said Theo. ‘You know, if you were using Communicate with somebody but your lips weren’t moving. How could anybody tell?’
‘A trained observer would be able to detect subtle changes in your body’s posture and facial demeanour, which belie this form of communication.’
‘Sorry, I don’t….’
‘First Mentor means body language,’ said Ruby.
‘Ah yes, I get you. The way you look and the way you stand – all that stuff.’
‘Correct.’
‘So only use it when you need to,’ said Theo.
‘Correct. If you wish to use continuous communication to a group rather than an individual, then it is possible to set up a receiver group. It is not necessary for me to demonstrate this now. You can investigate this yourself if you wish. It is a simple matter to set up.’
‘Yeh, I reckon I could work it out quite easily,’ said Theo.
‘Indeed,’ said First Mentor.
‘Show off,’ said Ruby.
‘If you are both happy with the basics of the Communicate function, I will move onto Context Points. Can I ask you to stand approximately three meters apart and face each other.’
‘Right,’ said Theo, walking away from Ruby, then turning to face her.
‘Now, can you please both select Config, Context Points, Public, All, On and then Config, Displays, Public, All, On in sequence.’
They both selected the options and a glowing transparent three-dimensional image of Polisium appeared, suspended in mid-air between them. On opposite sides of the image, hovering next to the planet, were two pulsing white orbs surrounded by a dozen or so white dots, which appeared to be flying around the orb like moths around a lamp.
‘The orbs you can see are known as Context Points. You will see them in close proximity to any objects, devices, equipment or displays that can be interacted with. There are two types of context points: Public and Private. The Context Points you can now see are Public. Once they are activated, the displays generated are visible on all companions. By default, Private Context Points are only visible to those who activate them, although they can be shared if required.’
‘Got it,’ said Theo. ‘Public and Private. Seems easy to understand.’
‘Can I now ask that you both place the tips of your fingers on the Context Points nearest to you, on either side of the planet’s image.’
Theo touched the closest Context point while Ruby did the same. As soon as they made contact, both their fingertips began to tingle. Then the image of the planet disappeared and a glowing beam of white light appeared between their fingers, pulsing gently.
‘We’re linked up,’ said Ruby excitedly.
Theo was so excited, he could barely keep his hand steady, and it was then he noticed that as his hand moved the beam see
med to follow it, almost as if it was hooked onto his fingertip. Slowly and deliberately, he waved his finger up and down, then left and right, and as he did so the beam tracked his finger while remaining attached to Ruby’s.
‘That’s awesome,’ said Theo.
‘The other option you selected was to show Public displays. These will be in the form of passive information screens such as those you will see on walls, floors and ceilings around the station. Both Context Points and Public displays will appear to exist at exactly the same point in space for everybody who views them as if they truly existed. Yet in actuality, they only appear to exist in the same location. There is no substance to them.’
‘But what… I mean, how can it react to my hand if it’s not real?’ said Ruby. ‘How is it we can move that beam around like that?’
‘Microscopic sensors have been implanted into your fingertips,’ said First Mentor. ‘This will allow your companion to transpose the position of your fingertips onto the projected location of the image. In essence, it is simulating touching a real object in space, allowing you to manipulate it. But it is only simulated.’
‘How do I stop the beam then?’ said Theo.
‘Close your hand to release the link.’
Theo curled up his hand into a fist. Immediately, the beam vanished and the image of the planet returned.
‘Context points can be interacted with either by simulated touch, as you have just seen, or by visually selecting them as you would any companion option.’
‘Yeh, I think I’ve seen Orientator do that. When we cross the station core and he stands at the edge of the platform, staring into space and rolling his eyes. I bet he was using a context point then to call up one of those floating platforms, wasn’t he?’
‘Correct,’ said First Mentor.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, Theo saw an outline on the wall. Quickly, he turned to face it and smiled. The outline was in exactly the same position on the wall as the open doorway had been when they’d entered the room.
‘I knew it,’ said Theo. ‘I just knew it. I mean, when I first arrived here, I thought it was odd. All those blank walls and invisible doorways. I wondered how everybody knew where to go and what to do. Where were all the display screens? And how did people seem to know exactly where the doorways were going to appear? I kept wondering what I was missing. But they were seeing things with their companions that I couldn’t, weren’t they?’
