Steve’s shorts: A Long Way from Home, Part Three…
A Long Way from Home
Copyright 2018, Steven M. Moore
Part Three
Kris was on the ship’s bridge monitoring the next jump through the metaverses when Kerouac the AI wanted to have a discussion.
“This mind-wipe policy has been in effect for over a thousand standard years,” it began. “Tell me, Kris, what are its moral justifications?”
Kris smiled. An AI worrying about moral issues in applying punishment to biological beings? That was common in androids; she’d never experienced it with a ship’s AI. “It’s a balancing act. There are no moral justifications for murder. Even an autocratic ruler of a planet that’s in ITUIP can get his planet kicked out if he orders the killing of a political adversary. Generally speaking, Humans did away with capital punishment long ago and opted for a life sentence in prison, or multiple life sentences because of parole procedures, or banishment. A mind-wipe is applied in lieu of execution, but it also is a sentence that’s rarely applied because it destroys most of the personality. It’s only used when it’s considered that its application plus retraining for a psychotic personality can make a productive and contributing member of society.”
“Does that happen?”
“Yes. You might want to consider it a complete software upgrade. The old AIs went through that sometimes.”
“But no longer. That sounds scary.” The moment of silence that followed puzzled Kris. “I think that would destroy my personality too.”
Personality? She’d have to think about that! “In both cases, it’s painless. In biological beings, the retraining is painless too.”
“How can losing your personality be painless?”
“I’m assured it is. And a mind-wipe is only applied in extreme cases, like I said.”
There was a moment of silence. Then: “I’ve analyzed some alternatives for punishing Tarbok,” Kerouac said. “Do you want to hear them?” Kris nodded, eyes still on readouts. “It would be a break with tradition, but let’s assume we will return to ITUIP one day. Can we not put Tarbok in the brig and let his punishment be decided in a planetary court of law? Even on his home planet?”
“The captain can make that decision, I suppose.”
“Would you please inform him of my analysis?”
“Why don’t you tell him?”
“He’s more likely to listen to his XO.”
***
Halbek liked the idea. But problems continued to occur. Nothing as serious as murder, though.
“Being confined in Alcibiades for such a long period is making everyone crazy,” Kris said at the next meeting of section heads.
The captain propped his chin on his black, leathery hands, his ears twitching. Except for the ears, it was a very Human gesture from the Tali. “Any comments on our situation, Kerouac?”
“In city environments and even with a single species, crowded and confined conditions create stress. Many behavioral studies come to that conclusion. Our situation is exacerbated by the mixed crew.”
“We’re almost there,” said Kris. “We only need a temporary solution.”
Halbek raised his head and looked around the table. “I think I have it. Old-fashioned cryosleep.”
“We only have a dozen cryounits,” said Kris. “They’re only supposed to be used in emergencies when the stardrive is damaged.”
“Yes, but your temporary solution is going to still need to keep us mentally healthy for another three or four years. That’s not as long as the time needed for those old colony ships, but it’s long enough, and already has been long enough for everyone to get on each other’s nerves. 12 out of 51 is almost a 25% reduction in living space requirements.”
“And Tarbok can be placed in a cryounit for the duration of the journey,” said Kerouac, “leaving 11 to rotate through the cryounits at any one time.”
“It might work,” said Kris, still surprised by Halbek’s solution.
***
They eventually went into orbit around Sanctuary, a planet in the Delta Pavonis system that was one of the three first Human colonies. It was crowded too.
“You have a profound understanding of psychology, captain,” Kris said, raising her glass of havenberry wine in a salute to Halbek.
He was sipping a local ale and watching the people on the promenade beneath them going about their business in the huge dome, one of many on the planet. “I understand Tali, Kris, and that understanding can be extrapolated to other intelligent species. We’re more alike than different, you know. Torbok didn’t attack Skims-the-Waves because he was a Ranger. He attacked him because they were on each other’s nerves.” He winked at her. “Besides, it wasn’t completely my idea. Kerouac suggested putting the troublemakers into cryosleep, including Torbok. I generalized the idea to a rotation among the personnel.”
“I don’t think we would have made it otherwise,” she said.
“I know. You have to wonder if some other ships that didn’t make it had the same problem. Being in confined quarters for a long time isn’t healthy.”
“I think you should include some of those thoughts in your report,” she said.
The Tali’s ears twitched. “Is my XO trying to make more work for her captain.”
She only smiled at him over the rim of her glass.
***
Comments are welcome.
Want to learn more about ITUIP and the Humans’ first star colonies? The epic Chaos Chronicles Trilogy begins in the dystopia caused by the Chaos and ends far into the future, which is the past for this story. That’s a bargain three-novels-in-one ebook bundle available on Amazon and Smashwords and all the latter’s affiliated retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc). Hours of sci-fi entertainment!
And you could also check out A. B. Carolan’s sci-fi mysteries for young adults, The Secret Lab and The Secret of the Urns. Ebook and print versions available on Amazon and ebook version available on Smashwords and all its associated retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc.) They’re set in that same ITUIP universe as well as the novel Rogue Planet.
Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!
