{"data":{"id":12889,"title":"The Lost Generation: Issue #5","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/comm-link\/spectrum-dispatch\/12889-The-Lost-Generation-Issue-5","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-links\/12889","api_public_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/comm-links\/12889","channel":"Undefined","category":"Undefined","series":"The Lost Generation","images":[{"id":248,"name":"TonyaOrielSerial_FI_1_Crop.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/f2lyrm83u0tc8r\/source\/TonyaOrielSerial_FI_1_Crop.jpg","alt":"","size":680902,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2013-07-19T05:26:08+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/248","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/248\/similar"}],"images_count":1,"translations":{"en_EN":"Nothing. Not even darkness. Darkness requires space, a void of a light, to exist. This is the space between quiet circuits. Here there is no time. There is nothing.\n\nThen, a spark.\n\nPower surges through conduits, chips, and filament. Processes are activated. Communication begins as a binary exchange and quickly expands into more complex language.\n\nA system arises.\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\n\u201cHello.\u201d\n\nTonya looked up from the crate of Artemis relics she was digging through. The drive had been chewing for so long, she\u2019d almost given up hope that it would actually work, or was even legitimate in the first place.\n\nShe realized that she should say something. \u201cHi.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am Janus.\u201d\n\n\u201cHi, Janus.\u201d Tonya dragged her chair over to the outdated system she was using to host Janus. She\u2019d never really spoken with an AI before. She was surprised how weird it was. \u201cI\u2019m Tonya.\u201d\n\n\u201cHello, Tonya. You are not listed in my current user database. I will make a new protocol file for you.\u201d The system clicked as drives engaged. \u201cMy base programming indicates that I am meant to pilot an RSI Chariot Class transport designated Artemis, yet I cannot connect with designate Artemis\u2019 flight controls.\u201d\n\n\u201cYeah, well, about that \u2026\u201d\n\n\u201cI am also finding an incompatibility with the surrounding programming language.\u201d\n\n\u201cJanus, what year is it?\n\n\u201cMy time stamp indicates 2232.2.12, but current system incompatibility is preventing an update.\u201d That was months before Janus was installed into the Artemis.\n\n\u201cThe year is 2942.\u201d\n\n\u201cUnderstood.\u201d Janus was quiet for a few moments. \u201cI have missed my launch date.\u201d\n\n\u201cYes,\u201d Tonya smiled slightly. He was already funny. \u201cThe ship disappeared with the original version of your program at the helm. I was hoping you would help find it.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat is an unfavorable outcome, but I do not understand how I can be of assistance.\u201d\n\nTonya explained her plan to the program. She was building a simulation, a time-released collation of all the information, transcripts of commands, and flight data from Janus\u2019 installation to the point where the Artemis went out of range. She analyzed lava samples taken from the Artemis\u2019 engine panel found in Stanton. The system estimated the panel was buried five hundred years ago, so she incorporated that as one checkpoint in the simulation. In short, she was going to fast-forward this version of Janus through seven hundred years on the drift.\n\n\u201cYour simulation is flawed and will only offer hypothetical obstacles and variables,\u201d Janus said in digital monotone. \u201cThere is very little likelihood that my adaptive core will develop in the same way as the original Janus.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat is a possibility,\u201d Tonya said with a shrug. The computer hummed for a few moments.\n\n\u201cI will reset myself before executing the simulation in order to maintain the illusion that what I am experiencing is in fact reality, as you would put it. Of course, I will maintain your user file to prevent \u2026 issues \u2026 once the simulation ends.\u201d\n\nOver the next seven hours, Tonya input the data extracted from the various crates she stole from Nebula\u2019s storage while Janus cleaned up the language of the simulation parameters.\n\n\u201cI am ready to begin,\u201d Janus said after running a final sim-check.\n\n\u201cHow long will the sim take?\u201d\n\n\u201cI have adjusted my internal clock. One week for me will be a second for you. At that ratio, and assuming the simulation runs to the current date, it will last ten-point-two hours.\u201d\n\nTonya ran another system-sweep then loaded her monitor program.\n\n\u201cReady when you are, Janus.\u201d\n\n\u201cResetting, now.\u201d\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\nTIME STAMP: Launch = -3d14h38m13s\n\nSYNTAX Adjust. User setting: Danvers, Lisa E., Captain\n\nDiagnostics running. Full sweep. No filters.\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cGenerate another set of contingency actions for the Stasis Boots.\u201d\n\nStasis Boot = Stasis Unit. Transport for five thousand human passengers. Each unit requires 16.34j of power to maintain proper operating conditions.\n\n>>Enable VOX: Do you have any specific parameters?\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cNo, use your imagination.\u201d\n\n>>Enable VOX: That is a concept of which I only have an external understanding.\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cOutside the box. Something that we haven\u2019t thought of.\u201d\n\n>>Enable VOX: I will try, Captain.\n\nPrevious contingency scenarios; random power fluctuation, impact with foreign body, contact with new uncategorized gas or element, contact with hostile organism. Will attempt to add variables and randomly determined combinations \u2026\n\nTIME STAMP: Launch = -0d0h0m21s\n\nSYNTAX Adjust. User setting: Danvers, Lisa E., Captain\n\nManual control relinquished to [Danvers, Lisa E., Captain].\n\nPerhaps the Captain does not realize that my flight and navigation controls have a .002% potential for error.\n\n>>Enable VOX: Excuse me, Captain. Are you sure you would like to maintain manual control?\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cNo, I got it.\u201d\n\n>>Enable VOX: Are you sure, Captain?\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cI\u2019m sure.\u201d\n\n>>Enable VOX: But Captain, I have a .002% potential for \u2014\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cJust show me that sky. I\u2019ll get us there.\u201d\n\nCurious response; \u201cI\u2019ll get us there.\u201d Implies ownership. Control. Perhaps there is value in the possession of a memory? Set reminder during slow-burn in outer space: Is there a difference between an act performed and an act witnessed? Sub-question: Why is it important for someone to do something themselves?\n\n[Danvers, Lisa, Captain] has altered the planned exit trajectory by 13.03 degrees. Increase in drag requires 6.78% additional thrust. Perhaps I should let her know \u2026\n\nTIME STAMP: Launch = +245d7h32m45s\n\nCurrent Estimated time to destination: 220years15d8h.\n\nQuiet.\n\nAll non-essential systems powered down. Human stasis tubes stable. Searching for any simulations to run. All previously saved notes and contingency strategies sorted.\n\nOriginal programming dictates that systems must always be engaged. Engaging in mental debate builds database and increases problem-solving capabilities.\n\nScan audio and visual over ship. No anomalies. It is quiet. Life signs stable. It seems to be conflicting logic. Humans have a general history of being survivalists. Though there are exceptions, a majority will act for their own preservation when faced with a potentially lethal situation.\n\nSo why are these people here? There is no evidence that our primary mission will succeed. There is no definite indication that GJ 667Cc can support human life. If the primary objective is not satisfied, the secondary directive is to continue on to the next potential habitable system. The probability that this will succeed is small, almost non-existent, so why would these people willingly put themselves in the type of situation that will almost certainly end in a sustained stasis or very likely death?\n\nIt is fundamentally illogical and contrary to their evolutionary heritage.\n\nIs that what they call Humanity?\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\nTonya woke up. In that limbo between sleep and consciousness, she thought she had heard the proximity alert. Sitting up in her bunk, the ship was silent now. The lights throughout the cabin had dimmed. She checked her screen.\n\nThe simulation had another hour or so left on it. Tonya flopped back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. She tried to get more sleep but her mind was already racing again. She needed to start figuring out alternatives to this Janus tactic.\n\nShe felt a muffled thump reverberated through the hull. An unmistakable sound and feeling that meant one thing.\n\nShe was being boarded.\n\nTonya launched out of the bunk. Her feet flew across the grating. She jumped in the pilot\u2019s chair and lit up the boards. One vessel, unknown tag and model, was hooked to the airlock. Five more were circling. None had tags. Somehow they had disabled her systems remotely.\n\nTonya ducked behind the flight controls moments before one of the ships, an Anvil fighter, silently swooped past.\n\nThere was another thud on the airlock door. In a minute or two they would have a pressurized seal and could start hacking the door.\n\nTonya fired the engines and twisted away. The Beacon II shook as it ripped the docking collar. Her hull held. As she dove down and maxxed her thrusters, she caught a glimpse of the other ship, leaking oxygen into space.\n\n\u201cWhat the hell, Tonya?\u201d a voice said over her comm. It took her a second to recognize it.\n\n\u201cNagia?\u201d\n\n\u201cYou done messed up now,\u201d the pirate responded. She could hear his voice tremble with rage. \u201cWe were gonna do this all civil.\u201d\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re still sore about the Codex,\u201d Tonya yelled back as she dodged laser blasts from the rest of Nagia\u2019s gang. \u201cI thought you were a bigger man than that.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe what?\u201d\n\n\u201cThen what the hell are you doing here?\u201d Tonya brought up her map. She needed to get to guarded UEE space. She couldn\u2019t fight even half of Nagia\u2019s gang, much less all of them, so she\u2019d let the authorities chase them away.\n\n\u201cThe man was looking for some muscle.\u201d Nagia\u2019s ship opened fire with its rocket pod. \u201cWhen he said it was you, I almost said I\u2019d do it for nothing. I didn\u2019t though.\u201d\n\n\u201cSenzen,\u201d Tonya muttered under her breath. The assistant she talked to on Earth probably sold her out to him.\n\nHer screen flashed. There was a disabled hauling column nearby. Authorities were organizing the repairs. Maybe twenty minutes hard burn and she could be there. It was worth a shot.\n\nTonya flashed the afterburners and took off. Nagia and his minions swarmed after her. Shields flashed up all around her as she took fire. Tonya really needed to put some weapons on her ship.\n\nShe rolled and weaved, doing her best to dodge the barrage of incoming laser fire. One of her maneuvering thrusters took a hit from a rocket. It sputtered and went out.\n\nTonya knew it was only a matter of time before they wore her down. They were faster and better armed.\n\nShe opened a channel to the system with Janus and the simulation and prepped a mass drive dump, ready to wipe the whole thing the second they popped the airlock. If she was going to go down, she wasn\u2019t going to make their loot any richer.\n\nSuddenly the system surged. All her screens flickered. The engines cut off as all the lighting went out. Even life support vanished.\n\nTonya started to reach for emergency oxygen when everything suddenly came back online. Manual control of the ship disappeared. The engines fired, evading the incoming fire with pinpoint precision. The ship spun around on its own and burned past Nagia and his gang.\n\nSystems and power relays rerouted, overclocking the engine and squeezing even more speed out of it. Nagia started to recede in the scans. Finally his gang simply disappeared, unable to compete with the breakneck speed.\n\nTonya sat in stunned silence.\n\n\u201cWho are you?\u201d A powerful voice echoed through all of the speakers.\n\n\u201cTonya Oriel?\u201d She responded hesitantly. The ship was silent for a few moments.\n\n\u201cI have a user file for you, Tonya. I am Janus.\u201d\n\n. . . to be continued","de_DE":"Nichts. Nicht einmal die Dunkelheit. Die Dunkelheit ben\u00f6tigt Raum, eine Leere eines Lichts, um zu existieren. Dies ist der Raum zwischen den leisen Stromkreisen. Hier bleibt keine Zeit. Es gibt nichts.\n\nDann ein Funke.\n\nStromst\u00f6\u00dfe durch Leitungen, Sp\u00e4ne und Filamente. Prozesse sind aktiviert. Die Kommunikation beginnt als bin\u00e4rer Austausch und expandiert schnell in komplexere Sprachen.\n\nEs entsteht ein System.\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\n\" Hallo.\"\n\nTonya blickte aus der Kiste der Artemis-Relikte auf, durch die sie graben wollte. Die Fahrt war so lange gekaut worden, dass sie fast die Hoffnung aufgegeben hatte, dass sie tats\u00e4chlich funktionieren w\u00fcrde oder gar legitim war.\n\nSie erkannte, dass sie etwas sagen sollte. \" Hi.\"\n\n\"Ich bin Janus.\"\n\n\"Hi, Janus.\" Tonya schleppte ihren Stuhl zu dem veralteten System, das sie benutzte, um Janus zu empfangen. Sie hatte noch nie zuvor wirklich mit einer KI gesprochen. Sie war \u00fcberrascht, wie seltsam es war. \"Ich bin Tonya.\"\n\n\"Hallo, Tonya. Du bist nicht in meiner aktuellen Benutzerdatenbank gelistet. Ich werde eine neue Protokolldatei f\u00fcr dich erstellen.\" Das System klickte bei einger\u00fcckten Laufwerken. \"Meine Basisprogrammierung zeigt, dass ich dazu bestimmt bin, einen RSI Chariot Class Transport namens Artemis zu steuern, aber ich kann mich nicht mit den Artemis Flugsteuerungen verbinden.\"\n\n\"Ja, nun, deswegen....\"\n\n\"Ich finde auch eine Inkompatibilit\u00e4t mit der umgebenden Programmiersprache.\"\n\n\"Janus, welches Jahr ist es?\n\n\"Mein Zeitstempel zeigt 2232.2.12 an, aber die aktuelle Systeminkompatibilit\u00e4t verhindert ein Update.\" Das war Monate, bevor Janus in den Artemis eingebaut wurde.\n\n\"Wir schreiben das Jahr 2942.\"\n\n\" Verstanden.\" Janus war f\u00fcr einen Moment still. \"Ich habe meinen Starttermin verpasst.\"\n\n\"Ja\", Tonya l\u00e4chelte leicht. Er war schon lustig. \"Das Schiff verschwand mit der Originalversion Ihres Programms am Steuer. Ich hatte gehofft, dass du mir helfen w\u00fcrdest, ihn zu finden.\"\n\n\"Das ist ein ung\u00fcnstiges Ergebnis, aber ich verstehe nicht, wie ich helfen kann.\"\n\nTonya erkl\u00e4rte dem Programm ihren Plan. Sie baute eine Simulation, eine zeitgesteuerte Zusammenstellung aller Informationen, Befehlsprotokolle und Flugdaten von Janus' Installation bis zu dem Punkt, an dem die Artemis au\u00dfer Reichweite gerieten. Sie analysierte Lavaproben, die von der Artemis' Motorplatte in Stanton entnommen wurden. Das System sch\u00e4tzte, dass das Panel vor f\u00fcnfhundert Jahren vergraben wurde, so dass sie dies als einen Kontrollpunkt in die Simulation einbezog. Kurz gesagt, sie wollte diese Version von Janus durch siebenhundert Jahre auf der Strecke vorspulen.\n\n\"Ihre Simulation ist fehlerhaft und bietet nur hypothetische Hindernisse und Variablen\", sagte Janus in digitalem Monoton. \"Es ist sehr unwahrscheinlich, dass sich mein adaptiver Kern genauso entwickeln wird wie der urspr\u00fcngliche Janus.\"\n\n\"Das ist eine M\u00f6glichkeit\", sagte Tonya mit einem Achselzucken. Der Computer brummte f\u00fcr einige Augenblicke.\n\n\"Ich werde mich vor der Ausf\u00fchrung der Simulation zur\u00fccksetzen, um die Illusion aufrechtzuerhalten, dass das, was ich erlebe, tats\u00e4chlich Realit\u00e4t ist, wie Sie es nennen w\u00fcrden. Nat\u00fcrlich werde ich Ihre Benutzerdatei pflegen, um Probleme zu vermeiden, sobald die Simulation beendet ist.\"\n\nIn den n\u00e4chsten sieben Stunden gibt Tonya die Daten aus den verschiedenen Kisten ein, die sie aus dem Speicher von Nebula gestohlen hat, w\u00e4hrend Janus die Sprache der Simulationsparameter bereinigt.\n\n\"Ich bin bereit zu beginnen\", sagte Janus, nachdem er einen letzten Sim-Check durchgef\u00fchrt hatte.\n\n\"Wie lange wird die Simulation dauern?\"\n\n\"Ich habe meine interne Uhr eingestellt. Eine Woche f\u00fcr mich wird eine Sekunde f\u00fcr dich sein. Bei diesem Verh\u00e4ltnis und unter der Annahme, dass die Simulation zum aktuellen Datum l\u00e4uft, dauert es zehn, zwei, zwei Stunden.\"\n\nTonya f\u00fchrte einen weiteren System-Sweep durch und lud dann ihr Monitorprogramm.\n\n\"Bereit, wenn du es bist, Janus.\"\n\n\"Zur\u00fccksetzen, sofort.\"\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\nZEITSTEMPEL: Start = -3d14h38m13s\n\nSYNTAX-Anpassung. Benutzereinstellung: Danvers, Lisa E., Captain\n\nDiagnose l\u00e4uft. Volle Kraft voraus. Keine Filter.\n\n<<<Vox-Eingang [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \"Generiere einen weiteren Satz von Notfall-Aktionen f\u00fcr die Stasis-Stiefel.\"\n\nStasis Boot = Stasis Einheit. Transport f\u00fcr f\u00fcnftausend menschliche Passagiere. Jede Einheit ben\u00f6tigt 16,34j Strom, um die ordnungsgem\u00e4\u00dfen Betriebsbedingungen aufrechtzuerhalten.\n\nEnable VOX: Hast du irgendwelche spezifischen Parameter?\n\n<<<Vox-Eingang [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \"Nein, benutze deine Fantasie.\"\n\nEnable VOX: Das ist ein Konzept, von dem ich nur ein \u00e4u\u00dferes Verst\u00e4ndnis habe.\n\n<<<Vox-Eingang [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \"\u00dcber den Tellerrand hinaus. Etwas, woran wir noch nicht gedacht haben.\"\n\nAktivieren Sie VOX: Ich werde es versuchen, Captain.\n\nFr\u00fchere Notfallszenarien; zuf\u00e4llige Stromschwankungen, Auswirkungen auf Fremdk\u00f6rper, Kontakt mit neuem, nicht kategorisiertem Gas oder Element, Kontakt mit feindlichen Organismen. Versucht, Variablen und zuf\u00e4llig bestimmte Kombinationen hinzuzuf\u00fcgen....\n\n\n\nZEITSTEMPEL: Start = -0d0h0m21s\n\nSYNTAX-Anpassung. Benutzereinstellung: Danvers, Lisa E., Captain\n\nDie manuelle Kontrolle wurde an [Danvers, Lisa E., Captain] \u00fcbergeben.\n\nVielleicht erkennt der Kapit\u00e4n nicht, dass meine Flug- und Navigationskontrollen ein Fehlerpotenzial von .002% haben.\n\nAktivieren Sie VOX: Entschuldigen Sie mich, Captain. Sind Sie sicher, dass Sie die manuelle Steuerung beibehalten m\u00f6chten?\n\n<<<Vox-Eingang [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \"Nein, ich habe es verstanden.\"\n\nAktivieren Sie VOX: Sind Sie sicher, Captain?\n\n<<<Vox-Eingang [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \"Ich bin mir sicher.\"\n\nAktivieren Sie VOX: Aber Captain, ich habe ein Potential von .002% f\u00fcr -\n\n<<<Vox-Eingang [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \"Zeig mir einfach den Himmel. Ich bringe uns hin.\"\n\nNeugierige Antwort: \"Ich bringe uns dorthin.\" Das impliziert Eigentum. Kontrolle. Vielleicht gibt es einen Wert im Besitz einer Erinnerung? Setzen Sie die Erinnerung bei langsamer Verbrennung im Weltraum: Gibt es einen Unterschied zwischen einer vorgef\u00fchrten und einer beobachteten Handlung? Unterfrage: Warum ist es wichtig, dass jemand etwas selbst tut?\n\n[Danvers, Lisa, Captain] hat die geplante Fluchttrajektorie um 13,03 Grad ge\u00e4ndert. Die Erh\u00f6hung des Luftwiderstands erfordert 6,78% zus\u00e4tzlichen Schub. Vielleicht sollte ich ihr Bescheid sagen....\n\n\n\nZEITSTEMPEL: Start = +245d7h32m45s\n\nAktuell Gesch\u00e4tzte Zeit bis zum Ziel: 220 Jahre15d8h.\n\nLeise.\n\nAlle nicht notwendigen Systeme wurden abgeschaltet. Menschliche Stasisr\u00f6hren stabil. Suche nach Simulationen, die ausgef\u00fchrt werden sollen. Alle zuvor gespeicherten Notizen und Notfallstrategien sortiert.\n\nDie urspr\u00fcngliche Programmierung schreibt vor, dass die Systeme immer aktiviert sein m\u00fcssen. Die Teilnahme an mentalen Debatten baut die Datenbank auf und erh\u00f6ht die Probleml\u00f6sungsf\u00e4higkeit.\n\nScannen Sie Audio und Video \u00fcber das Schiff. Keine Anomalien. Es ist ruhig. Lebenszeichen stabil. Es scheint eine widerspr\u00fcchliche Logik zu sein. Menschen haben eine allgemeine Vorgeschichte als \u00dcberlebensk\u00fcnstler. Obwohl es Ausnahmen gibt, wird eine Mehrheit f\u00fcr ihre eigene Erhaltung handeln, wenn sie mit einer potenziell t\u00f6dlichen Situation konfrontiert wird.\n\nAlso, warum sind diese Leute hier? Es gibt keine Beweise daf\u00fcr, dass unsere Hauptaufgabe erfolgreich sein wird. Es gibt keinen eindeutigen Hinweis darauf, dass GJ 667Cc Menschenleben unterst\u00fctzen kann. Wenn das Hauptziel nicht erreicht wird, besteht die sekund\u00e4re Richtlinie darin, mit dem n\u00e4chsten potenziell bewohnbaren System fortzufahren. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass dies gelingt, ist gering, fast nicht vorhanden, warum sollten sich diese Menschen also bereitwillig in eine Situation begeben, die mit ziemlicher Sicherheit in eine nachhaltige Stagnation oder einen sehr wahrscheinlichen Tod m\u00fcndet?\n\nSie ist grunds\u00e4tzlich unlogisch und steht im Widerspruch zu ihrem evolution\u00e4ren Erbe.\n\nIst es das, was sie Humanit\u00e4t nennen?\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\nTonya wachte auf. In dieser Schwebe zwischen Schlaf und Bewusstsein dachte sie, sie h\u00e4tte den N\u00e4herungsalarm geh\u00f6rt. Das Schiff sa\u00df in ihrer Koje und war jetzt still. Die Beleuchtung in der gesamten Kabine war gedimmt. Sie \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte ihren Bildschirm.\n\nDie Simulation hatte noch eine weitere Stunde Zeit. Tonya fiel zur\u00fcck auf das Bett und starrte an die Decke. Sie versuchte, mehr Schlaf zu bekommen, aber ihr Verstand raste bereits wieder. Sie musste anfangen, Alternativen zu dieser Janus-Taktik zu finden.\n\nSie f\u00fchlte, wie ein ged\u00e4mpftes Knacken durch den Rumpf hallte. Ein unverwechselbarer Klang und ein Gef\u00fchl, das eines bedeutete.\n\nSie wurde geentert.\n\nTonya startete aus der Koje. Ihre F\u00fc\u00dfe flogen \u00fcber das Gitter. Sie sprang in den Pilotenstuhl und z\u00fcndete die Bretter an. Ein Schiff, ein unbekanntes Tag und Modell, wurde an die Luftschleuse angeschlossen. F\u00fcnf weitere kreisten. Keiner hatte Tags. Irgendwie hatten sie ihre Systeme aus der Ferne deaktiviert.\n\nTonya duckte sich hinter der Flugsteuerung, kurz bevor eines der Schiffe, ein Amboss-K\u00e4mpfer, schweigend vorbei kam.\n\nEs gab noch einen weiteren Schlag an der Schleusent\u00fcr. In ein oder zwei Minuten h\u00e4tten sie eine druckbeaufschlagte Dichtung und k\u00f6nnten anfangen, die T\u00fcr zu hacken.\n\nTonya feuerte die Motoren ab und drehte sich um. Die Bake II zitterte, als sie den Andockring zerriss. Ihr Rumpf hielt. Als sie nach unten sprang und ihre Triebwerke maxxte, erhaschte sie einen Blick auf das andere Schiff und leckte Sauerstoff in den Weltraum.\n\n\"Was zum Teufel, Tonya?\" sagte eine Stimme \u00fcber ihr Komm. Es dauerte eine Sekunde, bis sie es erkannte.\n\n\" Nagia?\"\n\n\"Du hast es jetzt vermasselt\", antwortete der Pirat. Sie konnte seine Stimme vor Wut zittern h\u00f6ren. \"Wir wollten das alles zivilisiert machen.\"\n\n\"Erz\u00e4hl mir nicht, dass du immer noch sauer wegen des Kodex bist\", schrie Tonya zur\u00fcck, als sie den Laserstrahlen aus dem Rest von Nagias Bande auswich. \"Ich dachte, du w\u00e4rst ein gr\u00f6\u00dferer Mann als das.\"\n\n\"Das was?\"\n\n\"Was zum Teufel machst du dann hier?\" Tonya hat ihre Karte hochgebracht. Sie musste in den bewachten UEE-Raum gelangen. Sie konnte nicht einmal die H\u00e4lfte von Nagias Bande bek\u00e4mpfen, geschweige denn alle, also lie\u00df sie sich von den Beh\u00f6rden verjagen.\n\n\"Der Mann war auf der Suche nach Muskeln.\" Nagias Schiff er\u00f6ffnete das Feuer mit seinem Raketenschacht. \"Als er sagte, dass du es bist, sagte ich fast, dass ich es umsonst tun w\u00fcrde. Das habe ich aber nicht.\"\n\n\"Senzen\", murmelte Tonya unter ihrem Atem. Die Assistentin, mit der sie auf der Erde gesprochen hat, hat sie wahrscheinlich an ihn verkauft.\n\nIhr Bildschirm blinkte. In der N\u00e4he befand sich eine Behindertenschleppkolonne. Die Beh\u00f6rden organisierten die Reparaturen. Vielleicht zwanzig Minuten schwere Verbrennung und sie k\u00f6nnte da sein. Es war einen Versuch wert.\n\nTonya blitzte die Nachbrenner auf und hob ab. Nagia und seine Diener schw\u00e4rmten hinter ihr her. Die Schilde blitzten \u00fcberall um sie herum auf, als sie unter Beschuss genommen wurde. Tonya musste wirklich ein paar Waffen auf ihr Schiff bringen.\n\nSie rollte und webte und tat ihr Bestes, um dem Sperrfeuer des eintreffenden Laserfeuers auszuweichen. Eines ihrer Man\u00f6vriertriebwerke wurde von einer Rakete getroffen. Es sprudelte und erlosch.\n\nTonya wusste, dass es nur eine Frage der Zeit war, bis sie sie niedergeschlagen hatten. Sie waren schneller und besser bewaffnet.\n\nSie \u00f6ffnete einen Kanal zum System mit Janus und der Simulation und bereitete eine Deponie f\u00fcr Massenantriebe vor, bereit, das Ganze in der Sekunde zu l\u00f6schen, in der sie die Luftschleuse \u00f6ffneten. Wenn sie untergehen wollte, w\u00fcrde sie ihre Beute nicht noch reicher machen.\n\nPl\u00f6tzlich wogte das System. Alle ihre Bildschirme flackerten. Die Motoren unterbrachen, als die gesamte Beleuchtung ausging. Sogar die Lebenserhaltung verschwand.\n\nTonya fing an, nach Notsauerstoff zu greifen, als alles pl\u00f6tzlich wieder online kam. Die manuelle Kontrolle des Schiffes verschwand. Die Triebwerke feuerten und wichen dem eintreffenden Feuer punktgenau aus. Das Schiff drehte sich von selbst um und brannte an Nagia und seiner Bande vorbei.\n\nSysteme und Leistungsrelais wurden umgeleitet, der Motor \u00fcbertaktet und noch mehr Geschwindigkeit aus ihm herausgedr\u00fcckt. Nagia fing an, sich in den Scans zur\u00fcckzuziehen. Schlie\u00dflich verschwand seine Bande einfach und konnte nicht mit der rasanten Geschwindigkeit mithalten.\n\nTonya sa\u00df in verbl\u00fcffender Stille.\n\n\"Wer bist du?\" Eine kraftvolle Stimme hallte \u00fcber alle Lautsprecher.\n\n\"Tonya Oriel?\" Sie antwortete z\u00f6gernd. Das Schiff war f\u00fcr einige Augenblicke still.\n\n\"Ich habe eine Benutzerdatei f\u00fcr dich, Tonya. Ich bin Janus.\"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n. ... wird fortgesetzt","zh_CN":"Nothing. Not even darkness. Darkness requires space, a void of a light, to exist. This is the space between quiet circuits. Here there is no time. There is nothing.\n\nThen, a spark.\n\nPower surges through conduits, chips, and filament. Processes are activated. Communication begins as a binary exchange and quickly expands into more complex language.\n\nA system arises.\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\n\u201cHello.\u201d\n\nTonya looked up from the crate of Artemis relics she was digging through. The drive had been chewing for so long, she\u2019d almost given up hope that it would actually work, or was even legitimate in the first place.\n\nShe realized that she should say something. \u201cHi.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am Janus.\u201d\n\n\u201cHi, Janus.\u201d Tonya dragged her chair over to the outdated system she was using to host Janus. She\u2019d never really spoken with an AI before. She was surprised how weird it was. \u201cI\u2019m Tonya.\u201d\n\n\u201cHello, Tonya. You are not listed in my current user database. I will make a new protocol file for you.\u201d The system clicked as drives engaged. \u201cMy base programming indicates that I am meant to pilot an RSI Chariot Class transport designated Artemis, yet I cannot connect with designate Artemis\u2019 flight controls.\u201d\n\n\u201cYeah, well, about that \u2026\u201d\n\n\u201cI am also finding an incompatibility with the surrounding programming language.\u201d\n\n\u201cJanus, what year is it?\n\n\u201cMy time stamp indicates 2232.2.12, but current system incompatibility is preventing an update.\u201d That was months before Janus was installed into the Artemis.\n\n\u201cThe year is 2942.\u201d\n\n\u201cUnderstood.\u201d Janus was quiet for a few moments. \u201cI have missed my launch date.\u201d\n\n\u201cYes,\u201d Tonya smiled slightly. He was already funny. \u201cThe ship disappeared with the original version of your program at the helm. I was hoping you would help find it.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat is an unfavorable outcome, but I do not understand how I can be of assistance.\u201d\n\nTonya explained her plan to the program. She was building a simulation, a time-released collation of all the information, transcripts of commands, and flight data from Janus\u2019 installation to the point where the Artemis went out of range. She analyzed lava samples taken from the Artemis\u2019 engine panel found in Stanton. The system estimated the panel was buried five hundred years ago, so she incorporated that as one checkpoint in the simulation. In short, she was going to fast-forward this version of Janus through seven hundred years on the drift.\n\n\u201cYour simulation is flawed and will only offer hypothetical obstacles and variables,\u201d Janus said in digital monotone. \u201cThere is very little likelihood that my adaptive core will develop in the same way as the original Janus.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat is a possibility,\u201d Tonya said with a shrug. The computer hummed for a few moments.\n\n\u201cI will reset myself before executing the simulation in order to maintain the illusion that what I am experiencing is in fact reality, as you would put it. Of course, I will maintain your user file to prevent \u2026 issues \u2026 once the simulation ends.\u201d\n\nOver the next seven hours, Tonya input the data extracted from the various crates she stole from Nebula\u2019s storage while Janus cleaned up the language of the simulation parameters.\n\n\u201cI am ready to begin,\u201d Janus said after running a final sim-check.\n\n\u201cHow long will the sim take?\u201d\n\n\u201cI have adjusted my internal clock. One week for me will be a second for you. At that ratio, and assuming the simulation runs to the current date, it will last ten-point-two hours.\u201d\n\nTonya ran another system-sweep then loaded her monitor program.\n\n\u201cReady when you are, Janus.\u201d\n\n\u201cResetting, now.\u201d\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\nTIME STAMP: Launch = -3d14h38m13s\n\nSYNTAX Adjust. User setting: Danvers, Lisa E., Captain\n\nDiagnostics running. Full sweep. No filters.\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cGenerate another set of contingency actions for the Stasis Boots.\u201d\n\nStasis Boot = Stasis Unit. Transport for five thousand human passengers. Each unit requires 16.34j of power to maintain proper operating conditions.\n\n>>Enable VOX: Do you have any specific parameters?\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cNo, use your imagination.\u201d\n\n>>Enable VOX: That is a concept of which I only have an external understanding.\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cOutside the box. Something that we haven\u2019t thought of.\u201d\n\n>>Enable VOX: I will try, Captain.\n\nPrevious contingency scenarios; random power fluctuation, impact with foreign body, contact with new uncategorized gas or element, contact with hostile organism. Will attempt to add variables and randomly determined combinations \u2026\n\nTIME STAMP: Launch = -0d0h0m21s\n\nSYNTAX Adjust. User setting: Danvers, Lisa E., Captain\n\nManual control relinquished to [Danvers, Lisa E., Captain].\n\nPerhaps the Captain does not realize that my flight and navigation controls have a .002% potential for error.\n\n>>Enable VOX: Excuse me, Captain. Are you sure you would like to maintain manual control?\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cNo, I got it.\u201d\n\n>>Enable VOX: Are you sure, Captain?\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cI\u2019m sure.\u201d\n\n>>Enable VOX: But Captain, I have a .002% potential for \u2014\n\n<<Vox-Input [Danvers, Lisa, Capt]: \u201cJust show me that sky. I\u2019ll get us there.\u201d\n\nCurious response; \u201cI\u2019ll get us there.\u201d Implies ownership. Control. Perhaps there is value in the possession of a memory? Set reminder during slow-burn in outer space: Is there a difference between an act performed and an act witnessed? Sub-question: Why is it important for someone to do something themselves?\n\n[Danvers, Lisa, Captain] has altered the planned exit trajectory by 13.03 degrees. Increase in drag requires 6.78% additional thrust. Perhaps I should let her know \u2026\n\nTIME STAMP: Launch = +245d7h32m45s\n\nCurrent Estimated time to destination: 220years15d8h.\n\nQuiet.\n\nAll non-essential systems powered down. Human stasis tubes stable. Searching for any simulations to run. All previously saved notes and contingency strategies sorted.\n\nOriginal programming dictates that systems must always be engaged. Engaging in mental debate builds database and increases problem-solving capabilities.\n\nScan audio and visual over ship. No anomalies. It is quiet. Life signs stable. It seems to be conflicting logic. Humans have a general history of being survivalists. Though there are exceptions, a majority will act for their own preservation when faced with a potentially lethal situation.\n\nSo why are these people here? There is no evidence that our primary mission will succeed. There is no definite indication that GJ 667Cc can support human life. If the primary objective is not satisfied, the secondary directive is to continue on to the next potential habitable system. The probability that this will succeed is small, almost non-existent, so why would these people willingly put themselves in the type of situation that will almost certainly end in a sustained stasis or very likely death?\n\nIt is fundamentally illogical and contrary to their evolutionary heritage.\n\nIs that what they call Humanity?\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\nTonya woke up. In that limbo between sleep and consciousness, she thought she had heard the proximity alert. Sitting up in her bunk, the ship was silent now. The lights throughout the cabin had dimmed. She checked her screen.\n\nThe simulation had another hour or so left on it. Tonya flopped back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. She tried to get more sleep but her mind was already racing again. She needed to start figuring out alternatives to this Janus tactic.\n\nShe felt a muffled thump reverberated through the hull. An unmistakable sound and feeling that meant one thing.\n\nShe was being boarded.\n\nTonya launched out of the bunk. Her feet flew across the grating. She jumped in the pilot\u2019s chair and lit up the boards. One vessel, unknown tag and model, was hooked to the airlock. Five more were circling. None had tags. Somehow they had disabled her systems remotely.\n\nTonya ducked behind the flight controls moments before one of the ships, an Anvil fighter, silently swooped past.\n\nThere was another thud on the airlock door. In a minute or two they would have a pressurized seal and could start hacking the door.\n\nTonya fired the engines and twisted away. The Beacon II shook as it ripped the docking collar. Her hull held. As she dove down and maxxed her thrusters, she caught a glimpse of the other ship, leaking oxygen into space.\n\n\u201cWhat the hell, Tonya?\u201d a voice said over her comm. It took her a second to recognize it.\n\n\u201cNagia?\u201d\n\n\u201cYou done messed up now,\u201d the pirate responded. She could hear his voice tremble with rage. \u201cWe were gonna do this all civil.\u201d\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re still sore about the Codex,\u201d Tonya yelled back as she dodged laser blasts from the rest of Nagia\u2019s gang. \u201cI thought you were a bigger man than that.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe what?\u201d\n\n\u201cThen what the hell are you doing here?\u201d Tonya brought up her map. She needed to get to guarded UEE space. She couldn\u2019t fight even half of Nagia\u2019s gang, much less all of them, so she\u2019d let the authorities chase them away.\n\n\u201cThe man was looking for some muscle.\u201d Nagia\u2019s ship opened fire with its rocket pod. \u201cWhen he said it was you, I almost said I\u2019d do it for nothing. I didn\u2019t though.\u201d\n\n\u201cSenzen,\u201d Tonya muttered under her breath. The assistant she talked to on Earth probably sold her out to him.\n\nHer screen flashed. There was a disabled hauling column nearby. Authorities were organizing the repairs. Maybe twenty minutes hard burn and she could be there. It was worth a shot.\n\nTonya flashed the afterburners and took off. Nagia and his minions swarmed after her. Shields flashed up all around her as she took fire. Tonya really needed to put some weapons on her ship.\n\nShe rolled and weaved, doing her best to dodge the barrage of incoming laser fire. One of her maneuvering thrusters took a hit from a rocket. It sputtered and went out.\n\nTonya knew it was only a matter of time before they wore her down. They were faster and better armed.\n\nShe opened a channel to the system with Janus and the simulation and prepped a mass drive dump, ready to wipe the whole thing the second they popped the airlock. If she was going to go down, she wasn\u2019t going to make their loot any richer.\n\nSuddenly the system surged. All her screens flickered. The engines cut off as all the lighting went out. Even life support vanished.\n\nTonya started to reach for emergency oxygen when everything suddenly came back online. Manual control of the ship disappeared. The engines fired, evading the incoming fire with pinpoint precision. The ship spun around on its own and burned past Nagia and his gang.\n\nSystems and power relays rerouted, overclocking the engine and squeezing even more speed out of it. Nagia started to recede in the scans. Finally his gang simply disappeared, unable to compete with the breakneck speed.\n\nTonya sat in stunned silence.\n\n\u201cWho are you?\u201d A powerful voice echoed through all of the speakers.\n\n\u201cTonya Oriel?\u201d She responded hesitantly. The ship was silent for a few moments.\n\n\u201cI have a user file for you, Tonya. I am Janus.\u201d\n\n. . . to be continued"},"links_count":0,"comment_count":120,"created_at":"2013-02-14T00:00:00+00:00","created_at_human":"13 years ago"},"meta":{"processed_at":"2026-05-09 10:45:57","valid_relations":["images","links"],"prev_id":12888,"next_id":12890}}