We work on individual projects with an eye on the whole, knowing that it is not just one of us, but the whole team that will make this mission a success. Both the Needle and the Tube run on a separate AI system from the rest of Janus. So, while we are still on the same ship, every part of Janus’ AI is here dedicated to the wellbeing and success of the Chosen Ones. There is zero hardware connection between the two AI systems, and therefore no influence from the population not working in the Needle.
“Our first stop is the environmental science section. Please follow me.”
The grav-rail comes to a halt and the class files off to a viewing platform where they walk above and between many different environments set up as small scale experiments for different flora. There are scientists below, some outside and some inside the experiments, “In this area we study not just the environments the Chosen Ones currently live in, but also the evolutionary possibilities of what the environments could become. And through them, the possibilities for the evolutionary advancements and adaptations of the Chosen Ones. Right now their new home-world of Vesta is being terraformed, and our goal is to prepare them for the environments they will encounter when they arrive. We must also be aware that once we are gone, the evolutionary process will no longer be under our control. And so these scientists are studying as many alternatives as they can in order to give the Chosen Ones the best possible chance at success.
“Are there any questions?”
A few hands shoot up and the technician picks one, “Yes, you.”
“Why are there poisonous and deadly plants and environments when we want the Chosen Ones to survive?”
“Good question. We not only have deadly flora, but fauna as well. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that, as much as we want the Chosen Ones to survive, we cannot create an environment that does not prepare them for the universe they will one day inhabit. We are all aware of the dangers of the worlds we have inhabited, and if we did not prepare the Chosen Ones for such encounters their chance of survival as a group would diminish significantly. The second reason we have these environments is to keep the Chosen Ones from discovering the reality of their situation. If they were to know that they are in fact on a spaceship traveling through the stars it could jeopardize the entire mission. So the environments become more deadly the closer they get to entry points to the ship, preventing them from exploring and discovering us. That’s right, there are points where we can interact with their environment, but we use them extremely sparingly. Our goal is to be as separated from them as possible. In fact, there is only one entry point large enough for humans to pass through. It is primarily used for transporting large fauna into the Habitat, but very rarely there is occasion for a member of the crew to use it. This entry point is known as the Gate. And no,” she smiles, knowing what they are all thinking, “We will not be going there today.
“Now, if you’ll follow me.”
The group walks behind her along the gangplanks and corridors looking into room after room of fantastic and strange environments. Rich flowers, tundra, desert, and forest. Every possible scenery is stared at in awe by the class. Siff joins their wonder, dreaming of what it could be like to explore such beautiful and alien places. The bright colors and warm sunlight, the deep darkness of storms upon rocks in blackest jungles. Her imagination is sparked and she cannot wait to get home and draw some environments of her own, to dream of living there and choosing her own destiny while climbing mountains and exploring caves.
Their next stop on the grav-rail is the Department of Fauna. There are several excited murmurs when the students see autopsies being done on large mammal-like creatures they have not seen before, “Like the Environmental Science Department, the Department of Fauna is interested in studying the effects and affects of evolution in animal life within the Chosen Ones’ environment, as well as the possibilities of chaotic evolution as fauna respond to the changing environments on Vesta.
“You will no doubt be aware there are multitudes of animal and insect life, but I assure you our interests continue right down to the micro-biotic and atomic levels. In order to give the Chosen Ones the best possible chance, we strive to leave nothing outside of our research.”
The class walks through an otherworldly zoo, Siff gazing in wonder at the animals that have been created through advancing their evolutionary traits. Some are recognizable as descendants from horses or wolves or other such mammals: creatures that still exist within the Chosen Ones’ environment. But most of these animals are so far adapted that Siff cannot pinpoint what may have been their ancestors. Monstrous to benign, carnivorous to herbivorous, to…slime?…What does it do exactly? Oh crap that’s gross. Siff makes a mental note to draw some of these animals for her dreamworld later on. Minus the slime.
Their next stop is the psychological sciences department. Here there are not so many exciting things to look at, but Siff finds the lecture fascinating. A resident scientist shares his area of study, “Here we are trying to create the very best of the human race. Our original selection process for who would be chosen involved an overwhelming amount of study of the biological and psychological nature of humanity. Our final decisions were formed by utilizing an early version of Janus’ AI program. Those algorithms compiled our data to give us the biological and psychological markers for best success of the mission.
“Our duty now to the Chosen Ones is to present them with choices and challenges that will help develop their holistic survival. Seeing their development is truly inspiring, and I can honestly say we have very high hopes for the future of humanity.”
Siff raises her hand, and
Enjoying the story so far? Get up to four weeks ahead at www.patreon.com/stevelikestowrite
Comments