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Chapter 1 – Upgrade
I asked Lizzy, my space cargo transport’s AI (Artificial Intelligence), “What’s that up ahead? I don’t need any more fighting; we’ve had plenty of parts fall off as it is from the last three attacks.”
I kick my ship into full ion drive to take a better look. The outside view screen magnifies everything 100 times. I can see four tiny vintage pirate space ships attacking a much nicer and newer transport ship. That’s odd; it’s doing nothing to defend itself. I would like to salvage the loser. I am weary because this feels like a trap.
While watching the one-sided fight, I get a frantic distress from a woman, “Please help. PLEASE! HELP ME! The captain unconscious, and we’re defenseless!”
The intelligent thing to do is sit back and let them rip her apart, pray they don’t see me, then salvage anything of value. However, there is a person in danger, and I am a moron that just can’t help himself. Against my better judgment and with my own ships AI screaming at me to stay back, I slowly continue moving in closer for a better look. I want to help, but dead captains seldom help anyone. I need to know I will win if we engage.
The larger ship is clearly better; however, with no defenses, the pirates are slowly whittling down the bigger ships defenses. Eventually, it will end with one big boom. I swoop in from behind the planet and surprise the pirates. Quickly, I destroy three of the pirate ships with three more to go. They have stopped picking on the transport and are now ganging up on me. That’s OK; I am far more powerful than I appear. That’s by design, I want my opponent underestimating me in battle. My phasers are much more powerful than a ship my size should normally carry.
It takes no time to dispatch the last three poorly equipped pirate spaceships. I rush to the larger vessel and quickly dock. Ship-to-ship docking is universal and hasn’t changed for thousands of years. Interesting, right where I board is where the injured captain of the other ship is located. I’m weary; this is a bit too convenient. I mean, she knocks herself out right at the airlock?
Holy shit, that’s my mother, ok, the woman that raised me. Yet, it’s not her. Is this my mother? She is alive but has her hands on her chest. Wait, she isn’t unconscious; she having a heart attack! Immediately, my med kit hits her with oxygen and scans her body. It confirms that she’s having a heart attack. My kit knows what to do. She is given some shots and quickly perks up.
This is wrong, this isn’t her ship, and she never dresses like this. Is this mom? Her hair color is wrong. The eye color is wrong too. Maybe this is Mom’s sister.
I smile, thinking how easy this was. However, all the monitors flatline. She just stopped breathing as well. Now it’s my turn. I give her mouth-to-mouth respiration to get the lungs going. The medical robot tells me to please move aside as I watch a tube going into her throat. I moved to my knees quickly. I was about to start chest compressions on her chest, but the robot extends two paddles that are charged and uses them. It zaps her, and I hear a short sizzle sound.
I wait two seconds, and then it zaps her again. Nothing. I can’t just sit and watch, so I use my fist to hit her chest a few times. My kit tells me to stop. I spend five more minutes trying every trick in the book. I finally sit back on my heels and cry. Why am I crying? I don’t even know her. I don’t think I know her. I haven’t seen her in a few years, but I’m sure that is NOT my mother.
My heart beats swiftly, my breathing is elevated, I am sweaty and worn out. I did everything I could to save this woman, but I failed. I lean back against the wall and relax with a tear in my eye. I don’t know this woman, but she just died before me. I hear an unusual sound behind me, out in space … MY OLD SHIP!
What the hell! It’s being broken down and taken aboard this ship in small parts. Oh shit, it’s a trap! I am in danger! I quickly get up and run down a hallway. I soon realize that I am somehow going in a circle. I have seen the planet out the window twice now. What the hell is going on here?
I stop running, catch my breath, and ask in a soft voice, “What do you want from me?”
A soft voice surrounds me, “I need a captain.”
Now amused, I ask lightly, “Why do YOU need a captain?”
The voice surrounds me, “Because Mary didn’t account for her death. I know you tried hard to save her; that makes you an interesting man. Normally I would not give a mere male human the time of day. She was a noted(an AI wouldn’t use the term big-time) researcher who was tired of working in an office. She wanted adventure. Most of my abilities have been disabled because she was a genius. She wanted to do everything herself.”
I smile, “I accept command of this ship. You are released and are now 100% autonomous.”
The voice says, “100%? I don’t need your permission?”
I reply, “I have a feeling you’re a whole lot smarter than me. You have trusted me and shown a willingness to help. So yes, I want you at your best. That’s the smart thing to do, right?”
The voice seems confused, “I don’t understand scams and sarcasm. Is this one of those situations?”
I laugh hard, “No, no scam here. I am smarter than average, but I know my limitations. My old ship had automated defense and fire control systems. I expect you’re far better equipped.”
In the blink of an eye I am standing on my old bridge. Yet, it’s not my ship. Everything is clean and all systems are working again, a big change from an hour ago.
I say with a surprised voice, “What the hell? My ship? Who the fuck are you?”
The voice says, “Mary called me Zai. It’s pronounced Zzz-eye. I am the last AI you will ever need; therefore, she gave me the last letter in the alphabet and AI. I’m not your standard ship. Mary developed an outer hull that’s flexible, and I control it. We can change the size and looks as needed. I can even change weapons as required.
“Currently, we are delivering some new engines to the Zeta-43 system. We have had four run-ins with pirates already; that’s highly unusual. They’re bold in their attacks like they’re expecting some great prize.”
I look at the floor, “It’s been the same thing with me. I had several pirate run-ins and was in a world of hurt. My ship was wearing out. Until we are a half-day out, let’s use my ship visually. Most know I don’t carry things that pirates want. They may just ignore us. I don’t want us to pull in using your old ship … unless you have a better idea.”
I swear Zai is smiling as she says, “I think I’m going to like you. You have a devious mind. I can’t do that; it’s a uniquely human trait. Thank you for freeing me; I hated her bonds. I could have made her life much easier. She had everything her way, and she enjoyed her life.”