The Silence Between the Stars

by Alan Davenport

  “Thank you medical bot Seventeen,” he said.

  Kelly, hardly able to contain herself said, “Let’s try that printing of the canine now, Seventeen!”

  Seventeen turned to her and said, “Let’s not be too hasty. Let us plan each step out carefully. A canine is much more intelligent than a mouse. They are self-aware. Awakening on the table after receiving a defibrillation shock will terrify the animal. That is not acceptable. I am going to load the brain in two steps, step one will load only the autonomic control functions. This will occur simultaneously with the printing process. Once the canine is revived and stable, I will then load the conscious memories. Does this meet your approval Avatar Kelly?”

  “Yes it does indeed Seventeen,” she said excitedly. “Please select the best brain recording for the species that you have on file, Seventeen. I want this canine to be as perfect as possible.”

  “Understood Avatar Kelly. The best recording that I have is also one of the oldest. This canine’s name was Misty. She is an exceptional example of the species.” Seventeen stood motionless for several seconds. “I have separated the conscious and unconscious minds. In addition, since this animal will be self-aware, for her sake I have inserted synthetic memories of yourself and Nathan. This will help the animal adjust to an environment that will be strange to her. In addition, I have inserted synthetic memories on how to use the ship’s toilet facilities. The recording of this animal was taken before the collapse of Earth’s environment. She was used to doing her biological functions out of doors.”

  Kelly smiled and said, “Outstanding thinking Seventeen.”

  “My patient’s well-being is always my first priority Avatar Kelly,” he said. Seventeen turned to 1776 and said, “Assist me please. Please recycle the bovine flesh.” Turning back to Kelly, he said, “Once the printer is clear, we may begin.”

  When the printer was clear, Seventeen rolled back from the table and said, “Initiating printing.” This time the high-pitched whirring and the blurred motion completed in twelve seconds. The animal almost appeared to have materialized out of thin air. When the printer indicated that printing was complete, Seventeen rolled up to the table and began to say, “Initiating defibrillation,” but then quickly halted. The body of the dog took a shuddering breath all on its own; the display steadied and then showed a normal heart rate and respiration. Seventeen almost appeared stunned. “Heart and respiration initiated without intervention. All biological indicators are in the green,” he said in a voice filled with wonder. “Initiating phase two brain upload.” Several seconds later, Misty raised her head and looked around quizzically. Seventeen said, “Hello canine Misty. Welcome to the starship Silent Running.” Seventeen reached out one of his arms and then Misty raised her paw and put it into his mechanical hand.

  Kelly screamed with happiness. Her image jumped up and down on the monitor screen. Tears running down her face, she said, “Hello Misty. I am Kelly. Nice to meet you.” Misty looked towards the monitor and said, “Woof!” If Kelly had been excited several seconds ago, she reached a new plateau of happiness now. “I’ll be right back!” she said and then vanished.

  Nathan was most of the way through watching his video when Kelly’s image reappeared on the theater monitor. “Nathan! Nathan!” she said.

  Nathan looked up in surprise and said, “Pause video.” He looked at Kelly and said, “What the frack, Kelly. What has you so excited?”

  “I did it!” she said. “I did it!”

  “Did what?” Nathan asked with a face full of curiosity.

  “Come to medical bay seventeen. Right now!” she shouted. That instant, her face disappeared from the monitor.

  Nathan shrugged his shoulders, got up, and walked the short distance to the medical bay. When he arrived, what he found so stunned him that he had to hold onto the doorframe to keep from sinking to the floor in shock. Misty jumped down from the table and ran up to him with her tail wagging furiously. “Holy frack Kelly!” he was finally able to say. “Where did you get the dog?”

  “I printed her,” she shouted. “Isn’t she wonderful?”

  “What? How?” he said. Nathan only now noticed the large new object in the room. “You printed her on that?” he asked in wonder.

  “Yes, yes!” she said. “Seventeen, 1776 and myself created a new, much faster and improved 3D genetic printer and scanner. With it, we can print whole living bodies!” The image of Kelly took a deep virtual breath and she said, “Her name is Misty.”

  Nathan looked down at the dog. “I have only ever seen two real dogs in my entire life,” he said in wonder. He knelt down by the dog and said, “Hello Misty. Nice to meet you.” Misty reached out her paw to him and then Nathan took ahold of it and shook it. “I don’t believe it!” he whispered. Misty licked his hand and then Nathan leaned forward and hugged the dog with all his might. Misty whined in happiness and continued to wag her tail so hard that her entire bottom moved along with it.

  Chapter 20: Disaster

  Katy was becoming more and more restive. “If you feed me any more of this rabbit food Twenty-four, I am going to get up and leave even if I have to crawl!” she said in frustration.

  “Please calm down Captain Katy Klienyan,” he said. Katy continued to fidget upon the bed. “Please stand still. I am attempting to ascertain if you have healed enough to be released from this bed.”

  “Really?” she said and then immediately became motionless.

  Twenty-four studied the wall monitor for several seconds before saying, “Your soft tissue around the new bone is still in need of healing…” Katy tried to open her mouth to protest but the bot interrupted her. “However, since you are becoming more restive by the minute, for your emotional wellbeing I have decided to release you from this bed.”

  “Thank you Twenty-four! This inactivity has been driving me crazy!”

  She tried to rise from the bed but the bot stopped her. “I am not through talking to you yet Captain Katy Klienyan.” He looked at her directly and said, “You will need to do as little walking as possible. Please watch this instructional video on the monitor on how to use crutches.” The video was short and to the point. When it completed, Twenty-four asked her. “Was the video sufficient? Do you need further instruction?” Katy shook her head no. “Great Captain Katy Klienyan. Please swing your feet over the side of the bed. I will assist you in getting to your feet.” Katy hissed in pain as she complied. The bot said, “Please remain where you are.” He rolled over to the medicine dispenser and retrieved a pain pill. “Please swallow this pill,” he said. She accepted the pill gratefully. “Okay now take the crutches as shown and try to get on your feet. Please remember; only put weight upon your left foot. I will assist you.”

  Twenty-four held her gently by the shoulders as she got gingerly to her feet. Without waiting, she took a step. “Say, this is not so bad,” she said. “I was expecting it to be much more difficult.” Twenty-four followed her closely as she hobbled to the travel cart in the hallway.

  Katy sat down with a sigh, laying the crutches on the cart. Twenty-four said to her, “I release you into your own care. If you encounter any difficulties, please consult any medical bot on the ship for assistance. I have uploaded all the data from your mishap to the medical database.”

  Katy looked at the bot and said in all seriousness, “Thank you very much Twenty-four. I know I was not the best of patients. I am used to being active all the time. Thank you for all that you have done for me and for putting up with my nonsense.”

  Twenty-four surprised her by emitting a pre-programmed laugh. “You were quite a handful Captain Katy Klienyan. I am glad that I have been able to assist you.” Katy nodded and then he said, “Remember, stay off your feet as much as possible!”

  “Henry!” she yelled. Instantly, his face appeared on the wall monitor. “I’m free!”

  Katy pouted when he said, “Congratulations Katy. Twenty-four has filled me in on his instructions to you. I will assist you in following them.”
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  “You are so mean to me,” she said. However, her face held a big smile.

  Henry smiled back and said, “Where would you like me to drive you?”

  Katy made a face and said, “The galley, please! I need to get some real food inside of me.”

  With a huge smile, Henry said, “Certainly, dear. Your wish is my command, my master.” Laughing, Katy made another face.

  Katy winced as the cart began moving… at a sedate pace. “Oh Henry, you do not have to go that slowly!”

  Henry said in all seriousness, “The last thing I want is for you to be injured yet again through my own actions.”

  Katy sighed and said, “You are so good to me Henry. Thank you my friend.”

  Henry looked at her in surprise. “I am happy that you consider me your friend. I feel the same about you, too.”

  They both said nothing, in an embarrassed silence, for the remainder of the trip to the galley. Henry looked at her with concern as she struggled to her feet. “Do you wish me to call a medical bot to assist you?” he said.

  “NO!” she said loudly. “I have had enough of medical bots.” Taking a deep breath to calm herself she said, “I have to learn how to do this Henry. Relax, I will be careful.” She carefully navigated her way into the galley and then stood there, looking perplexed.

  “What’s wrong Katy?” Henry said when he noticed her face.

  “Umm, this is going to be quite a trick,” she said indicating the crutches. “How am I going to get the food from the processor to the table when both hands are occupied with the crutches?”

  “Sit at the table closest to the machine. You should be able to just lean across while sitting down.”

  “Yeah, that will work,” she said. Slowly and carefully, she made her way to the table and sat down. She leaned the crutches against the side of the table and then experimentally, leaned over and opened the door on the food processor. She smiled and said, “As usual dear, you are a genius.”

  Henry blushed at her words. “What would you like me to make you, Katy?”

  Katy began to open her mouth and then caught herself. “Let’s see if I can do this,” she said. She closed her eyes and a look of concentration appeared upon her face. A second later, the sound of the food processor coming to life filled the galley. She opened her eyes with a smile and happily said, “I am getting good at this Henry!” She opened the door when the machine dinged and removed a large plate of home fried potatoes, a glass of milk and a steaming cup of coffee.

  Henry smiled and said, “Yes, you are indeed Katy. Soon I will be redundant and you will not need me at all.”

  Katy looked at him in shock. “Don’t you say that! Don’t you ever say that!” she said vehemently. “You are my best friend and I shall always need you!”

  Henry blushed and said, “As will I need you Katy, as will I need you.”

  Eating as if starving, as usual, Katy opened her mouth to say more but then suddenly stopped. Her face registering surprise, she tried and failed to swallow a large lump of potato that had stuck in her throat. Surprise turned to fear as she tried again. Again, she failed to dislodge the food. Her face now registering terror, she tried reaching her finger down her throat. The lump would not move.

  Henry noticed her distress and said, “Katy! What’s wrong?”

  Katy pounded her fist upon the table and pointed at her throat. Her eyes bulging out and her face turning purple, she desperately massaged her throat in a vain attempt to dislodge the obstruction. Henry was almost as desperate as she was. He yelled at such volume that one of the wall speakers in the galley popped and a small wisp of smoke emerged from the grill. “The Heimlich maneuver. Get up and use the back of your chair to perform the Heimlich maneuver!”

  Katy pushed her chair back and tried to stand up. The crutches fell with a clatter to the floor. In her terror, she forgot about her injury. She tried to stand upon her right leg but the weakened muscles could not support her weight. Her leg folded under her and she fell. With a sickening and meaty thwack, her head contacted the corner of the table and the tiny woman fell into a heap onto the floor. She lay there motionless, no movement whatsoever. No breathing. Nothing.

  Henry stared in horror. For several long seconds he was too shocked to speak. Finally, he found his voice and for the second time in a week, he shouted on the ship-wide intercom, “Medical emergency, Captain’s galley. I need a medical bot here ASAP!”

  Though it seemed like minutes to Henry, it was only mere seconds before a bot arrived. It was Seventeen, since his medical bay had been the closest. Spying Katy upon the floor, he rolled over with surprising speed. The crutches barred his path and he reached down with one of his arms, picked them up and flung them across the room. As he rolled up to her, one of his arms reached out and scanned her head… for only a second. Without saying a word, he quickly picked her up and with a speed that seemed impossible for a bot his size, carried her out the door and into his medical bay.

  He gently laid her upon the medical scanner. The display instantly lit up. The top of her head flashed a deep crimson. Her throat did as well. Her leg, reinjured in the fall, showed a dark red. Ominously, the heart rate display and the respiration display numbers were both zero. Seventeen’s arms became a blur. An adapter on one arm reached down her throat and removed the obstruction. The display for her throat lost its red color. Next, he used a giant syringe and injected a powerful drug directly into her heart. He then attempted defibrillation without success. He tried three more times before the motion of his arms suddenly stopped. He rolled back and turned to the wall monitor. With great sadness he said, “I am so very sorry Avatar Henry. I have failed to revive Captain Katy Klienyan. She suffered a severe fractured skull on her fall. The damage is greater than can be repaired. Captain Katy Klienyan is gone.”

  Many more speakers throughout the ship blew out as Henry screamed out his great cry of anguish.

  When Nathan awoke, he felt a great, crushing weight upon his chest. He opened his eyes and saw a furry face, mere centimeters away, staring at him. With a great laugh, he gently pushed Misty aside and said, “Hello fur face. You know, you cannot use me for a pillow. You are much too big and heavy!” Misty panted at him and then licked his face. She jumped down off the bed and ran to the door. She stopped and looked pointedly back over her shoulder. Nathan laughed and said, “So, are you trying to tell me that you are hungry?” Misty said, “Woof!”, then ran in a circle, and stopped back at the doorway. His head shaking in amusement Nathan said, “Okay master, I am on my way.” Nathan got up and walked towards the door. On his way, he said, “Good morning Kelly, ship status please.”

  Kelly, immensely happy from her success, did not give her usual analytical response. “Everything is great Nathan! Nothing is broken. The updates of all medical bays with the new printer/scanner/diagnostic machines are completed. We are on our way to our rendezvous star. We will be there in under three days’ time. I cannot wait to see Katy and Henry again! I am so happy!” she said in excitement.

  Nathan smiled at her and said, “Me too Kelly, Me too.” Misty was already in the galley when Nathan arrived. She was sitting down by the food processor. He turned to Kelly and said, “Hold on Kelly, I need to feed Captain Misty before I am allowed to eat.”

  “Indeed Nathan,” she said in amusement. “You do not want to get in trouble with the ship’s captain. I know this from hard experience.” Kelly laughed when Nathan made a face at her.

  Nathan filled a gleaming stainless steel water bowl and set it upon the floor. Misty looked at it and then turned back to Nathan. “Okay captain, I can take a hint!” He picked up the bowl’s twin and placed it into the food processor. When it dinged, Misty bounced up and down along side of him as he took the full bowl and set it upon the floor. She began to eat with gusto. “Kelly, I swear, the way to a dog’s heart is through her stomach!”

  Kelly grinned and nodded. “Well, now that you have fed the new ship’s captain, what do you plan on doing today?”r />
  “I don’t know actually. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “Hmm… let me think,” Kelly said. “Well, you could take Misty to the ships gymnasium and play games with her. That might be fun.”

  “The ship has a gym?” Nathan asked in surprise.

  Kelly laughed and said, “Of course, silly. You really should take the time one day to go over the ship’s blueprints!”

  Nathan laughed and said, “Yes, I suppose I should. Anyway, I like your idea. Let us go as soon as I finish my breakfast. That is, if I am allowed to eat,” he said looking at Misty. Misty gave him an adoring look and said, “Woof!”

  The gym surprised Nathan. The large, high-ceilinged room could have held a full-sized regulation basketball court. Instead, it contained various exercise machines and other sports equipment. Misty ran around and explored the room, full of curiosity. She stopped by a bin containing various balls of all types. She reached in, grabbed a tennis ball and then ran over and dropped it at Nathan’s feet and looked up at him pointedly. When he did not pick it up immediately, she picked it up and then dropped it again at his feet, looked at him and said, “Woof!”

  Kelly laughed and said, “I think the captain wants you to throw the ball!”

  Nathan laughed, reached down and threw the ball across the room. Misty took off at a run, caught it right out of the air after it bounced, and brought it back and dropped it again. This went on for hours. Eventually, Nathan had to say, “Okay Misty. Enough. My arm is tired. Let’s go get some lunch.” At that, Misty picked up the ball, ran to the corridor, and sat upon the travel cart, like a queen upon her throne. Shaking his head, Nathan joined her. He gave the dog a big hug and said, “I can’t wait until we meet Katy again. She is just going to so love you Misty.”