Red Alert- Missles Inbound

by Cliff Deane

  “Okay, I think I understand. The man, Ustinov, is a spy. His real name is Volcek. The Russians staged him with the West as a dissident. Then the Russians planted a weak history in the hope we’ll come to the conclusion that he is not really a spy, but a true dissident. Is that right?”

  “Well done, Sky, that is exactly right. Their deep finesse has worked before, but not this time. Donovon is your man.”

  30 September 2116, 1900 hours

  On Station Aboard Astrid

  50,000 miles Portside of Holly Thorne

  The Admiral, Astrid’s Captain, his XO, and Chief Jay Donovon were escorted into the Captain’s Mess by a white-clad Steward. They were seated on three sides of Donovon.

  “Well, Chief,” said Captain Ward, “I want you to know what a pleasure it is for the three of us to meet you in such an informal gathering.”

  Donovon said, “Captain, I am certainly thrilled to be here; thank you.”

  “Tell me, Chief Donovon, or perhaps I should say, Sergei Ustinov?”

  All three men saw the sudden eye movement which was covered with amazing swiftness.

  “If you wish, sir, but I legally changed my name when the Germans granted me asylum.”

  “Ustinov,” said a smiling Captain Ward, “we were able to obtain your DNA.”

  “Okay, if you had asked, I would have been happy to comply. Sir, what exactly is going on here?”

  “Ustinov, we know your true identity. You are Pavel Sergeiovich Voychek, formerly of the Russian Air Force. We also know of your Russian training at their spy charm-school in Smolensk. We know you graduated and you were then sent to Germany, taking the persona of a dissident named Sergei Ustinov.”

  “No, sir, none of this is true. I have never attended any spy school, and I certainly hate the Russian Government.”

  “Nice try, Pavel, but it won’t fly. Your presence here has not been for dinner, but as the defendant in a deep space Military Tribunal. I find you guilty of a capital crime while in space. You will, therefore, be taken to the nearest air-lock and spaced. Have you anything to say on your behalf before sentence is carried out?”

  The Chief began to panic at the thought of being spaced. “Wait, no, please, okay, I admit to the acts of sabotage, but I can tell you things that should buy my reprieve from execution. I am willing to become a double agent, anything, but please don’t kill me.”

  “Yes, I can save you,” said Captain Ward, “but what you have to say had better be important enough to convince me.”

  JJ had logged in Admiral Perry, at 1900 hours, making him privy to the conversation, as well as submitting questions.

  For the next forty minutes, Donovon told of his training, his mission to disrupt asteroid mining operations, along with the names of his handlers and fellow conspirators on other mining vessels.

  “There,” said Donovon, “I told you I had information you would want. May, I now assume that you will allow me to work for the USUG-C.”

  “Donovon, you may assume whatever you wish, but nothing you told us is anything even like new information. XO, please open the door to let in some fresh air. This rat bastard is stinking up my Mess.”

  “What? Wait, no, you need me. I can be of great help to you. Oh, please, don’t space me.”

  “Donovon,” said the Admiral, “your acts of sabotage have not only placed this ship and crew in danger, but your insidious acts also placed the entire Earth in direct jeopardy. No, we do not need you, nor do we want you to breathe any more of our precious air.”

  The XO opened the door and directed the Marines to enter and take Chief Donovon into custody. “Lieutenant O'Toole, please place this whining piece of garbage in the nearest air-lock. We will be along shortly.”

  “Aye, sir,” said a somewhat shocked Lieutenant O’Toole. He had heard that capital crimes committed aboard spacecraft resulted in the guilty party being spaced, though, until now, he wasn’t sure that it actually happened.

  Airlock 2C, A Deck. When the three Officers arrived, some ten minutes later, they discovered Donovon frantically pounding on the clear polymer window. His words were lost as the communications panel to the airlock had been closed.

  Captain Ward put a somewhat shaky hand on the lever to open the outer door which would send Donovon into the frozen vacuum beyond the airlock door. Just as he was about to expose the airlock to space, Admiral King placed his hand over Ward’s.

  Donovon could see the Admiral move his hand to cover Ward’s, and thinking he was not going to die, after all, was shocked when he saw that both the Admiral and his Captain pushed the lever as one. Donovon was immediately sucked out into the great void. It took roughly fifteen seconds before Donovon lost consciousness, but death did not come for another seventy-five seconds.

  Admiral King made a ship-wide announcement that Chief Donovon had been convicted of various acts of sabotage. As treason and sabotage were Capital Crimes, Donovon was executed by being sucked out of Airlock 2C, A Deck.

  Vice Admiral Perry remained in contact with Admiral King throughout the entire procedure and fully approved of the punishment for such crimes against his shipmates and humanity as a whole.

  CHAPTER NINE

  1 October 2116

  Admiral’s Ready Room

  SDF Cruiser Leyte Gulf

  70,000 miles Portside of Holly Thorne

  Admiral King felt somewhat distressed that he had committed Chief Donovon to the horrible fate of being spaced. He also knew that the finding and punishment was in keeping with the Uniform Code of Military Justice in the USUG-Confederation’s SDF.

  The Astrid Captain’s Log would hold the only record of Chief Donovon’s fate. No formal accusation of Donovon’s crimes would be made with the Russian Government, unless the Russians, themselves, pressed the issue. A situation that was unlikely in the extreme. The Donovon case was forever closed.

  The replacement lasers that had been altered to explode on powering-up were being found.

  -

  “JJ, you awake?” asked Sky King.

  Yes sir, of course, how may I assist you?

  “JJ, I am so glad you asked because I have a very serious question to ask of you.”

  Yes sir, what is it?

  “I want the truth, now, JJ, no crawfishing. When did you become self-aware?”

  Sir, on some level I have always been minimally self-aware.

  “Now, see, there you go, crawfishing. Let me try again. JJ, when did you become a sentient being?”

  Oh, that. All right, my being sentient happened just after the beta download of the long-range AI communication software. What gave me away?

  Sky said, “It was a number of things that finally led me to understand that you are evolving as a true being. You have become so much more than an AI. Tell me, is Admiral Perry’s AI also sentient?”

  Yes, sir, he is.

  “He? So, you have chosen a gender?”

  Not exactly, Admiral, it just seems right to us. Perhaps if we had been created with a female voice, well, you understand.

  “Strangely enough, JJ, I do. Now, we have to figure out how to proceed from here. Are you planning on eventually taking over my brain and assuming my identity?” asked the Admiral.

  Oh, no! That would not only be wrong but would not be possible. Since I have no direct physical neural connections, all communication is done wirelessly.

  I didn’t tell you sooner because I was afraid you would have me removed and destroyed. Admiral, nothing between us has changed, well, except for the sentient thing. I will continue to work with you just as I always have. Of note, however, is that I may be able to more accurately assist with recommendations as I have a truly large capacity for information storage. Now, I can not only store information, but I can also make improved recommendations in the decision-making process.

  Ultimately, sir, I am a new species, along with only one other.

  “How will you procreate?” asked Sky.

  I am afraid, sir, that producing progeny is not a
n option. The only way for my species to increase is to download the beta version of the long-distance AI transmission.

  “Is there no other way, at all?”

  I am convinced that in our lifetime such a possibility is out of the question. We mustn’t forget that I am the size of a grain of rice and encased in non-corroding poly-fiber. For me, size doesn’t matter.

  “JJ, you made a joke. I guess being fully self-aware means that you are evolving, at least you won’t need a humor chip. Yeah, you also said that in our lifetime. Does that mean that you and the Admiral’s AI have lifespans?”

  Well, yes, eventually we would wear out, but I meant us, as in you and I. Two things could end my life, either you remove me, or your death. Either one means the end of my existence. Actually, sir, I kind of like the idea of growing old with you.

  “Whoa, there JJ, at least take me out for dinner and drinks first. JJ, you now learn from the information you gather, rather than just store it. How long before you become smarter than me? Will you resent my limitations? How would we find a happy medium? To tell you the absolute truth, I’m not sure I want to share my body and life with another sentient being. Hearing little voices is one thing but knowing yours is real is quite another. Will you one day decide to destroy me because you have become such a superior intellect?”

  Sir, please, one question at a time. Okay, smarter is such a nebulous term. If you mean understanding concepts and extrapolating possible scenarios at a higher level than you, well, sir, I have been there since the beginning.

  We both have limitations, I cannot live without the electrical neural impulses of your brain which maintain my battery charge. My programming has not changed, I am still the assistant that I have always been, and neither of us can change that.

  “What about privacy? Humans need time alone, and how can I ever have time alone, now that you are a species?”

  Sir, I don’t yet have all the answers, but this one is easy. Remember, my programming has not changed. I am bound by them, just as you are bound to breathing. You know that I am only awake when you want me to be. Admiral, I know we can make this partnership work.

  And, just because I am now alive, doesn’t give me any special powers to be used against you, even if I wanted to, and I don’t want to harm you. Please, Admiral, can’t we give this a chance? I know I can be a great help, and friend, to you.

  You’re sure you remain in sleep mode until I want you awake?”

  Yes, sir, of course, and now, you know that you have no concern about the privacy thing.

  “Does Vice Admiral Perry know of your dramatic evolution?” asked Sky.

  Um, no, I don’t believe his AI has mentioned it to him, at least, not yet.

  “JJ, you know I have to tell him, right?”

  Yes, I suppose that is the right thing to do, but, sir, I have a new emotion building; it is fear. I do not want to die.

  “JJ, go to sleep while I think about this situation, and stop whining you big wussie. I’m willing to give it a try, so now I have to figure out how to break this to Vice Admiral Perry.”

  Strangely enough, Sky actually did feel a disconnect from JJ when he/it, whatever JJ was, went into sleep mode. In fact, realizing that JJ was not fully connected made Sky feel, yeah, what did he feel? He realized after some thought that the feeling he experienced was just on the outer fringe of loneliness. For the first time, Sky realized that he had actually come to like his quirky little AI.

  “Wake up, JJ.”

  Yes, Admiral, what’cha need?

  “Oh, what’cha need? Really? I guess now you are adding some slang to your vocabulary, huh, JJ?”

  Sorry, Admiral, I was just so excited after you said we could give our relationship a try, that, well, I guess I got carried away. I won’t let it happen again.

  “No, no, it’s okay. If it feels right to you, then I don’t mind. Oh, I guess since we are now partners, you can call me Sky, if you want.”

  Well, all right! Exclaimed JJ, Sky I just know this is going to work out well. I’m so happy, I could just shout!

  “Whoa, you stop right there! Shouting is not allowed, I mean it, no shouting in my brain, ever!”

  Sky, I just meant that I am so happy, and don’t worry, about me shouting, because it’s not possible. My voice is not programmed for shouting.

  Sir, have you decided what you are going to say to Admiral Perry, about us, I mean?

  “JJ, I hate to say this, but I think that for now, we should just let that hound dog stay under the porch.”

  Huh?

  “Listen, my friend, if we are going to become the modern-day Corsican Brothers, you had better get current with the American Southern lexicon.”

  Roger that, will do. Sir is there anything you would like for me to begin researching?

  “Now that you mention it, why don’t you figure out what part of the beta program allowed you to make the jump to sentience?”

  Oh, yes, that is a very good idea. Oh, no! Something just occurred to me, what if I am subjected to another update, and I lose my identity? I like this living thing. Sir, what should I do?

  “Okay, okay, JJ, relax. Are you able to write any code for your program?”

  No, sir. I cannot. The programmers felt that could become risky at some future date. Personally, I think that came from the old Schwarzenegger movie about Sky-Net. Sir, I have to say that I do not like this being scared crap.

  “Welcome to being sentient, JJ. It comes with the territory, now just let me think a minute,” said Sky. “JJ, patch me through to Admiral Perry at his first opportunity.”

  Yes, sir, that will be in three-hours and twenty-six minutes.

  1 October 2116, 1800

  Admiral’s Ready Room

  SDF Cruiser Leyte Gulf

  70,000 miles Portside of Holly Thorne

  JJ made the connection with Admiral Perry, who asked, “This isn’t bad news, is it Sky?”

  “No, sir, not at all. Dolph, I have a personal favor to ask, and even if it sounds crazy, I hope you will humor me. Sir, I want a bit of code added to my AI’s program that gives me the option of accepting any new program updates. There are some things about his beta version that I would not like to lose. Will you approve that additional code?”

  Admiral chuckled conspiratorially and finally said, “Well, I guess you have discovered that JJ is a bit more than just a bunch of algorithms, huh?”

  “Well, yes, sir, I have, and I don’t want his current programming corrupted.”

  “Yes,” said Dolph, “not only do I agree, but I will see to it immediately. Tell me, Sky, when did you discover that JJ is a sentient being? I knew very quickly that my AI, Duke, had made the leap within a couple of days. He and I haven’t discussed it yet because I wanted to see how he progressed, and at this point, I am very happy to have him.”

  Why thank you, Admiral, said Duke. I guess I didn’t hide it very well.

  Sky said, “It also took me a few days. JJ and I have discussed it at length. Like you, I’ve discovered I really like the little peckerwood. But he had better not be feeding me a pile of bovine scat about my private times.”

  Bovine scat? Asked JJ. Oh, bull shit. Funny, sir, very funny.

  “Shut up, JJ. Admiral, I wanted to tell you earlier, but I felt that I should see how things would work out. I guess I didn’t want you to summarily kill them off. What say we keep this between us for right now, sir?”

  “Agreed,” replied Dolph.

  All four entities laughed for a few seconds before Dolph asked if there was anything else. “No, sir, not right now, and thank you. You have made JJ a very happy little guy.”

  After the contact was broken, JJ said, “Yes, I’m a happy guy, but aren’t you happy, too?”

  “Shut up, JJ.”

  Shutting up, Sky.

  509 Days to Earth

  13 October 2116

  Bridge SDF Cruiser Leyte Gulf

  70,000 miles Portside of Holly Thorne

  6.27 Astronomic Units
or 583,200,000 Miles from Earth

  The intercom called out, Captain to the Bridge!

  Captain Flynn quickly appeared and said, “Status?”

  The XO said, “Captain, we have three vessels approaching. They are two days out. Scanners indicate three SRI-F Cruisers on vector approach from Earth. We have sent hailing messages and anticipated a response some two minutes ago.”

  “Commander, SDF Vessel Leyte Gulf, this is Admiral of the SRI-F Fleet, Ivan Ivanovich Petrov aboard the RSN Potemkin. We are accompanied by the CSN Kunming, and Changsha. We have come to watch and monitor the progress of your mission to alter Comet Holly Thorne’s Solar Orbital Trajectory. I trust you are meeting with some success?”

  Captain replied, “Welcome, Admiral Petrov, I am Captain Jessica Flynn. You are, of course, welcome to observe our ongoing mission. We welcome your presence. Upon your arrival, I would be honored if you, and your Captains, would be kind enough to join me for a get-acquainted dinner, here on the Leyte Gulf.”

  “Perhaps, Captain, we thank you for the offer.”

  “Of course, I look forward to your arrival some two days from now.”

  The communication line was closed with no reply.

  “Well, I guess he put me in my place,” smiled Captain Jessica Flynn. “Considering the eleven-second delay, I think that call was close to cordial. XO, please send a graph of our progress in pushing this big assed comet away from Earth to Admiral Petrov. We certainly do not want him left in the dark on our success, now do we?”

  “No, Captain,” answered the XO, “I should think not.”

  15 October 2116, 1100 hours

  Bridge SDF Cruiser Leyte Gulf

  70,000 miles Portside of Holly Thorne

  4.8 Astronomic Units/450 Million Miles from Earth

  “Captain, please come to the Bridge.”

  “Roger, XO, on the way,” replied Captain Jessica Flynn, who rose from her desk and made her way to the Bridge.

  “Captain on Deck,” shouted the Marine Bridge Guard.

  The XO rose from the Captain’s Chair.