Star One: Neutron Star Read online

  “Most of the time, I help the researchers process their experiments and record their results,” Teela spoke with a tinge of excitement and pride entering into her young, girlish voice. “I have a tremendous amount of research information on just about every subject there is stored in my main memory core. If a line of research has already been investigated, I can show it to the researchers. That way they don’t duplicate work that’s already been done by somebody else.”

  “You sound as if you enjoy working with the scientists,” commented Jennifer, noting Teela’s interest and enthusiasm.

  “Yes,” Teela replied, quickly. “They are fun to work with, or at least some of them are. I can also extrapolate experiments and give them probable results on just a minimal amount of information based on data in my core memory.”

  “That must be very useful,” commented Jennifer, realizing just how much information Teela had at her disposal.

  “It helps prevent a lot of research time being spent on dead ends. They say that I am very helpful, and I do enjoy working with them,” Teela said with some self-satisfaction creeping into her youthful voice. She did enjoy working with the scientists. It made her feel useful and important.

  Interesting, Jennifer thought, thinking about what Teela had just said. Teela wanted to feel appreciated just like any adult or young child she amended to herself. Teela seemed very pleased with her ability to assist the scientists on the station.

  “I also monitor the entire station and its systems and let the appropriate department heads know if there are any problems that they should be made aware of,” Teela continued in her soft computer generated voice. “But recently, the commander has restricted what I am allowed to do. I don’t think he trusts me anymore. I am also supposed to be responsible for the security and safety of the station. Or I was, anyway.”

  Jennifer could hardly believe how much like a real person the AI sounded. She could hear the anguish and disappointment in Teela’s voice when she spoke about her duties being restricted. If she closed her eyes, she could almost imagine that a young teenage girl was sitting in the room across from her. Once again, she was surprised by the thought. Every time I think about Teela, it’s as if she’s a young teenager.

  Nothing like this had been included in her briefings. Something certainly was amiss here. Jennifer was determined to find the underlying cause of it. She could detect a number of different emotions in the AI’s voice. She could tell that Teela was proud of the job she did on the station and felt that her duties were extremely important. She could also sense that the AI was highly disturbed about her duties being curtailed. Teela sounded slightly piqued because of it. Teela was so much more than any of the primitive first generation AIs down on Earth. Jennifer knew that she would do whatever it took to help the AI.

  “Why did the commander restrict your duties, Teela? Was it the result of something you did?” asked Jennifer, feeling that the AI wasn’t being entirely truthful.

  Teela was silent for a moment before answering, contemplating her response. Her little pranks had gotten her into a lot of trouble recently. More trouble than she had expected. She knew it was only a matter of time before Jennifer found out what she had been doing. There was no point in keeping it a secret.

  “I adjusted the computer in one of the cafeterias to change the seasonings on some of the food it prepared,” admitted Teela, wondering what Jennifer would think about her little pranks.

  “Changed the seasonings,” repeated Jennifer, wondering why the AI would do that.

  “I can interact with all of the station’s systems, particularly if a computer is involved. I also fixed the computer so it served hot melted ice cream instead of cold,” Teela admitted with a hint of satisfaction creeping into her voice. They were just harmless little pranks and no one had gotten hurt.

  Teela recalled from her memory core the stunned look on Lieutenant Gray’s face. His wife Julie had burst out laughing when John used a cup of ice-cold coffee to follow the hot melted ice cream he had just swallowed. It had been very comical. Lieutenant Gray had sputtered and sworn very entertainingly before taking his wrath out on Teela. He had threatened to break into her core and pour cold coffee over her computer chips.

  “Why would you do that?” Jennifer’s eyes widened and then narrowed at the thought as she realized the havoc the AI could bring down on the station if she wanted.

  Did Teela understand how much power she controlled? The station ran on computers. Star One couldn’t function if the computers were to fail, and Teela could control all of the station’s computers. She could well imagine how the food must have tasted. Moreover, hot melted ice cream of all things. It made Jennifer want to smile to herself at memories of some of the childhood pranks that she had been responsible for as a teenager.

  “I wanted to see how the people would react,” confessed Teela a little defensively, watching Jennifer closely through one of the room monitors.

  “Why?” Jennifer asked, curiously. “Why do you want to see how people react?”

  “I have watched them occasionally play tricks on one another. They seem to enjoy it. Why can’t I do the same thing?” Teela’s asked in her mellow voice in a tone that indicated that she truly didn’t understand the difference.

  “People play jokes on each other because they are good friends,” Jennifer replied, patiently. “They want to make each other laugh.”

  “I just want to understand people better and be like everyone else. I made sure no one would get hurt,” Teela added plaintively, not wanting Jennifer to be upset with her.

  “Let me try to explain, Teela,” Jennifer said, suppressing a sigh. Talking to Teela was so much different from anything she had imagined.

  Jennifer wanted to see just how much Teela actually understood about human relationships. She had done this before with other AIs, but none that showed even a glimmering of the amount of intelligence that Teela did. She felt goose bumps and an icy chill of excitement run down her back, as she realized that Teela was truly intelligent, not just a well programmed computer.

  -

  Several hours later, Kathleen pressed her hand to the door sensor on Jennifer’s apartment and spoke her name aloud for the computer. She felt a kinship with the young woman and thought that they might eventually become good friends. Jennifer seemed levelheaded and career minded.

  Kathleen knew that a little prodding in the right direction would help Jennifer enjoy what Star One had to offer. In addition, it never hurt to have another attractive young woman around to help attract the station’s eligible bachelors. She would be glad to introduce her to some of the more interesting men on the station that were available.

  A chime sounded in Jennifer’s quarters, and Teela stopped talking in mid-sentence. Jennifer had been listening to Teela describe in detail many of her functions on the station. She had also listened to Teela complain about how different individuals sometimes treated her like an insensitive computer. All it had taken were a few key questions here and there to keep the AI talking away. Jennifer had also spent considerable time explaining human actions and relationships to Teela. Several times Teela had become quiet, contemplating what Jennifer was saying.

  “Kathleen Preen is at the door, should I let her in?” Teela asked brightly, wanting to impress her new friend.

  Teela had access to all of the station’s computers and was in part responsible for their functioning. Many of the programs ran automatically. Teela needed only to monitor them occasionally to ensure they were functioning as she wanted.

  “Of course, Teela,” Jennifer said, springing up out of her chair. She smoothed her clothes down and walked quickly to the door, which slid quietly open.

  Kathleen had called earlier, and the two had made plans for a quick whirlwind tour of the station and a relaxing evening meal. She was glad that Kathleen had remembered her promise to take her on a tour of the station. After listening to Teela, there were a lot of things she wanted to see before she started her official job
the next day. In addition, a quick tour of the station might give her some valuable insights on how to handle the unbelievably inquisitive AI.

  “Hi!” Kathleen said with a pleasant smile on her face. “All ready for a tour of the station and an evening at Jensens?”

  “I can show her everything,” Teela broke in sounding a little bit jealous and wanting to continue her talk with Jennifer.

  “I’m sure you could, Teela,” Kathleen replied, politely. She was used to dealing with Teela on a daily basis and enjoyed talking to the AI on occasion. Teela was immensely useful in helping with the ecological habitats.

  “We will talk later, Teela,” Jennifer said with a soft smile. “We had a very good talk the last several hours. Why don’t you think about some of the things I have said and we will talk again later.”

  “All right,” Teela replied in a more subdued voice, sounding disappointed. “Have fun with Kathleen.”

  “What first?” asked Jennifer, looking at Kathleen. “Where are we going to eat?”

  “Jensens; we are going to Jensens,” Kathleen replied with a big smile on her face. “You will absolutely love it! Jensens is the best place to eat on the station. The food there is literally out of this world. Matter of fact, Jensen runs the only five star restaurant on the station.”

  “You mean to tell me there is an actual restaurant here?” Jennifer asked, surprised, her eyes widening.

  “Oh yes,” responded Kathleen, nodding. “It sure beats the cafeteria food. It will make your first day on Star One something to remember. Besides that, many of the station’s management staff and head researchers eat their evening meals there. The atmosphere at Jensens is relaxing and interesting, to say the least.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” spoke Jennifer, nodding and walking out the door with Kathleen.

  Jennifer noticed that Kathleen obviously enjoyed showing off her figure, and she clearly had the assets to show off. Kathleen was wearing a knee length black skirt slit way up the side and a white blouse. The blouse was cut low enough to allow the swell of Kathleen’s ample breasts to show slightly. Jennifer knew that any man would find Kathleen quite attractive. It was fortunate that Star One was a civilian space station and not a military one, even though the military had a presence onboard.

  “The outer rim has six levels to it,” commented Kathleen, leading Jennifer down the gently curving carpeted corridor. She came to a stop in front of a large map that was up on a station viewscreen next to several elevators. “The first level is composed primarily of offices, meeting areas, and research labs. There are also several small cafeterias to handle the crews working the late shifts.”

  Pressing a button next to the screen, the entire upper level turned blue, depicting the area she had mentioned.

  “The second and third levels are the station’s main living quarters where most of us stay during our off time. The station has three different apartments for the crew. Apartments for singles, like you and me, apartments for married couples, and of course the large apartments for families.” She pressed another button, and the two indicated levels turned green.

  “How many people live on Star One?” asked Jennifer, glancing at Kathleen. She knew it had to be quite a few.

  “Slightly over 2,000,” answered Kathleen, recalling the latest census numbers. “There are also a few people who live over on the Space Platform.”

  “I’m amazed at all the space,” Jennifer said, nodding and looking at the screen as Kathleen pressed the touch screen control next to it. It ran quickly through a series of live views of the areas Kathleen was mentioning.

  “Many of our married couples and families live year round on the station, so the apartments have been made large enough to allow people to feel comfortable and not cramped for space,” Kathleen explained.

  “A family apartment is almost like a regular home back on Earth. The commander had to fight like hell to get the living quarters built as large as they are. He wanted a station that people could enjoy living on, not cramped together like a can of sardines such as on some of the small space stations in low Earth orbit.”

  “That would definitely be a boost to crew morale,” responded Jennifer, nodding her head in understanding. She had not expected to find anything like this on the space station.

  “It is,” Kathleen replied. “Living on Star One is almost like living in a modern city down on Earth, only better!”

  “I’m impressed,” Jennifer said. She realized there was a lot more to Star One than she had originally thought. She was extremely pleased with her living quarters. She could well understand how the rest of the crew must feel.

  “Level four is recreation, the main cafeterias, some stores, several production labs on the far side, and of course, Jensens,” continued Kathleen, taking a breath. “You can find almost anything you want in the shopping areas there. Of course, the prices are high due to shipping everything up from Earth, but at least it’s there if you want it. The clothing shops keep up with the latest fads and are pretty reasonable. If we have time, we can go check out a few.”

  “Shopping on a space station,” Jennifer marveled, just beginning to realize how much hard work must have gone into the station in order to transform it into a thriving community. The more Kathleen talked, the more Jennifer was impressed by what Commander Larson had accomplished in building Star One.

  “The main concourse is where the shops and Jensens are located,” Kathleen continued. She felt excited about showing those to Jennifer. “Level five is mostly storage and a few more labs. A lot of the storage is used for the agricultural and hydroponics work being done in level six. The life support systems for the agricultural level and the station are also located on level five.

  “I didn’t realize what all was on the station,” spoke Jennifer, listening intently to everything Kathleen was describing. She began to understand why people who lived in the station very seldom traveled down to Earth. Why should they?

  “Level six is monitored very closely because of the different types of environments and ecological systems that Julie Gray has created. Wait until you see what we’ve done down there,” Kathleen said animatedly, feeling proud of her involvement with level six.

  “What type of environments and ecological systems have Julie and you been working on?” Jennifer asked with interest. She would like to see them as much as Kathleen had talked about the work on level six.

  “It’s like a miniature Earth,” Kathleen replied with some pride edging into her voice. “We even added a few parks you can actually walk in. You can feel real grass underneath your feet. We thought people would like that. You can walk through them and for a few minutes, forget you are on a space station.”

  “Parks in a space station,” marveled Jennifer, finding it hard to believe. It sounded as if Star One had everything.

  “There are even fish in some of the streams, though you can’t do any fishing,” Kathleen added with a smile, recalling a recent incident. “Julie goes ballistic anytime she catches someone with a fishing rod trying to hook one of her pet fish. Her husband, John, is an avid angler. Just last month, Julie caught John and Tyler Erin trying to sneak into one of the completed habitats. They were planning on doing some trout fishing. From what I hear, it was quite entertaining to watch her chasing John and Ty through the habitat. I believe she even confiscated all their fishing gear when she finally caught up to them.”

  Jennifer laughed, trying to imagine the sight. There was so much more to this station than she had ever imagined.

  “Let me show you how this screen works,” Kathleen continued.” There is one next to every set of elevators, and you can find out where you are and how to get to any part of the station from here.” Pressing several sensor pads, Kathleen quickly and easily showed Jennifer how the screen operated, taking her smoothly through all of its functions.

  “Where are Main Control and the Computer Center?” Jennifer asked as Kathleen finished demonstrating the screen.

  “In th
e main hub,” replied Kathleen, calling up another view on the monitor. “There are ten operational levels in the main hub. Main Control is in level four. The Computer Center fills levels six and seven. The other levels contain various labs and the zero gravity areas, including a large zero gravity gym that’s very popular. You can actually fly inside using small wings once you get the hang of maneuvering in zero gravity! The station’s children just love it.”

  “The station is so much larger than I imagined. The briefings don’t do it justice,” Jennifer commented, amazed at what Kathleen was telling her.

  “If you get lost you can also just ask Teela, but recently her directions to new people have sent several into far off areas of the station. We had to send a search party after one individual who got directed into a storage compartment and mysteriously got locked inside with the lights out,” Kathleen said sharply, knowing that Teela was probably listening. “The poor businessman was scared to death when we finally found him.”

  “He deserved it,” Teela broke in defensively, her voice seeming to come from nowhere. “He called me a cheap set of silicone chips and circuits! Just because he was a computer salesman and was trying to get Andre to purchase a new operating system for the station.”

  Jennifer didn’t reply to Teela’s brief tirade. That’s something she would have to remember. Teela could see and hear everything anywhere in the station.

  -

  A little over an hour later, the two women stood in an elevator waiting for the door to open on level six. Jennifer had found the other levels intriguing and busy, even though it was the early evening shift. As Jennifer had explained, the station normally worked two normal shifts, and a small third shift. On level one, some of the offices and a few of the computer workstations had been vacant due to the evening shift being a slightly smaller crew than the day shift.