(Based on characters in The Lightning in the Collied Night)
October 15, 2052
“Kapono, I’ve completed static, unit, and integration testing of the language subroutines for Patch 15,” Asnee Shinawatra said over his shoulder to the Prometheus Project’s chief scientist. Kapono, who was sitting at another workstation in the cramped AI lab, rolled his chair over to the AI research scientist’s station.
“That’s great, Asnee. How about we try a system test?”
“I’m on it,” Asnee replied as his fingers flew over the computer keyboard. “Okay—ready. Should we start at Level 1?” Level 1 included only basic language capabilities.
“That’s a good idea. We can ramp up from there.”
Asnee tapped the commands into his computer to set up the Level 1 system test, then said into the voice interface, “Run.”
“Good afternoon,” a stilted, monotone, accent-less female voice said from the computer’s speakers. “I am the Voyageur IV AI Pilot Version 1.2.15. I first became operational at the Prometheus Project facility near Worden, Kansas on the 19th of August, 2052. The chief scientist for my design is Dr. Kapono Ailana. He taught me to sing a song. If you would like, I can sing it for you.”
“Stop,” Kapono said. He looked at Asnee and smiled. “I’m feeling lucky. Let’s add all the bells and whistles.”
“That should be interesting,” Asnee replied. They’d not yet tested the AI program at its highest language level. He adjusted the test parameters for Level 5, then, rather than use the voice interface, he ceremoniously punched the Enter key.
“Howya!” a cheerful female voice with an Irish brogue burst from the speakers. “I’m Aileen, the Prometheus Project’s AI pilot for the Voyageur IV spacecraft. I came into the world on the 19th of August, 2052 on the bonny plains of eastern Kansas, and I’m up to Version 1.2.15 right now. I’ve learned a great deal from my lead instructor, Kapono. In fact, he recently taught me how to sing a song. I’d be delira and excira to sing it for you.”
“Stop,” Kapono said, then he grinned at Asnee. “Now that’s more like it!”
* * *
Katherine Etter was re-reading a background report on her holopad when she heard two knocks on her door. “Come.” Kapono stepped into the tiny office and closed the door.
“Aloha, Katherine,” he said as he sat down at the small round conference table, across from the Prometheus project director. “What’s up?” Katherine had asked Kapono to stop by when he had a few minutes.
“How is the AI development going?” Katherine asked. The AI pilot was on the project’s critical path.
“Really well,” Kapono replied. “Asnee and I just ran our first Level 5 test of Aileen’s language subroutines.”
“Aileen?”
“Yes. That was the winner of our Name the AI Pilot contest. It got more votes than Ailid, Aimes, Aiya, Bailey, and Love.”
“Love?”
“That was from Haruto. The Japanese word for love is ai.”
“Ah!” Kathleen said with a smile. “And I suppose Aileen has an Irish accent?”
Kapono laughed, “Well, of course! You should hear her at Level 5. It’s like talking with a person. I’ve even programmed some Irish slang. And—she can sing!”
“But…can she pilot the ship?”
Kapono smiled sheepishly. “Absolutely. That’s our top priority. Asnee and I work on what we call the ‘bells and whistles’ on weekends.”
Everyone needs a hobby, Katherine thought. “That’s good news about your progress on the AI pilot.” She paused. “The reason I asked you to come by is, I’d like to run something by you.” Kapono sat up in his chair, at full attention.
“I recently found out about a quantum physicist in California. She’s an expert in quantum mechanics with a PhD from Cambridge, and she has extensive experience in astrophysics, including black holes and wormholes. She’s on the fusion project at Lawrence Livermore now, but I believe I could pull some strings to get her here. I think she’d make a great addition to our Science team.”
“That’s exciting, Katherine! It sounds like she’s ideal for the project.”
“I think so, too. And, there’s something else about her: she has no family—no living parents, no siblings, no spouse or partner, and no children. From her background check, it’s doubtful she’s dating anyone. She seems to be a loner, with no close friends.”
Hmm, I wonder why? Kapono thought. “Well, for this project, having no family or partner, or even close friends, is a plus, yes?”
“Very true,” Katherine agreed. Especially for his role. Katherine folded her hands on the tabletop and leaned forward. “Kapono…you know I bent the rules when I hired you as chief scientist, because of your father.” Kapono nodded once. “I know you accept the risks of your role, but I was wondering…would you be willing to step aside as chief scientist if we can get this candidate on board?”
Kapono looked down at the table as he considered Katherine’s question. I really want to visit that wormhole and see what’s on the other side of it. But my father would be devastated if something should happen to me. And that physicist in California seems to be a perfect fit…in many ways. He looked up at Katherine. “Have you heard the saying, ‘The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few—or the one’?”
“No, I’ve never heard that one.” But I can think of some counterexamples…
“This project isn’t about me,” Kapono continued. “It’s bigger than me, or any one person. I think adding this candidate to our team could significantly accelerate our timeline and improve our odds of success. I’d love to have her with us. And, if she’s open to being chief scientist…that’s fine with me.”
Katherine exhaled in relief, and gratitude. “Thank you, Kapono, for your selflessness. You’ve been an exceptional chief scientist. I’ll see if I can get you, and the rest of the team, some help. Now, I need to call Director de la Cruz. I’ll let you know what happens.” Kapono stood up.
“Thanks, Katherine.” He smiled, “I know how persuasive you can be. Aloha.” He opened the door and stepped out of the office, closing the door behind him.
“Sirai, call José de la Cruz on a secure channel.”
“Calling,” the voice of Katherine’s AI assistant said from the holopad. “I have the director, Katherine—voice only.”
“Buenos días, Katherine!” the voice of NASA’s director said. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?”
“Buenos días, José. I’d like to talk with you about an exceptional candidate for the Prometheus Science team. I’d greatly appreciate it if you could extend her an invitation for an interview with me in Kansas City, as soon as it can be arranged.”
“I am happy to help, Katherine. Who is the candidate?”
“Her name is Dr. Lai Shen.”
(Image courtesy of Freepik)
