Chapter 36: Martinez

T-Minus 10 hours to launch.

Captain Martinez strolls into the engine room, deftly avoiding the scurrying bodies rushing to and fro. Searching for Commander Moore, the Captain smiles as he takes in the industrious work taking place all around. The large EmA Drive hums, its wires strewn around the deck as bodies squirm in and out of its guts.

Spotting the Commander shoulder deep within the drive, Captain Martinez leans against a blank wall waiting. Commander Moore can be heard shouting orders as person after person comes to his side. Finally, he withdraws from the engine, his body arching and stretching to work out the kinks. Spotting the Captain leaning against the interior wall he walks towards him.

"Hello Captain, come to check up?"

"How is it going Joshua? Please tell me it's all going to be in working order." Captain Martinez asks as he moves from the wall, his arm waving to encompass the insanity surrounding the engine. "If I'd known you had to mess with the engine I probably wouldn't have allowed it."

A laughing Commander turns and takes in the view. "Not to worry Captain. Everything's going to plan. The upgrade is, if I might say, inspired! I'd really like to meet whoever came up with this plan. The simplicity of the design, the ease with which the changes can be made is awe inspiring." Turning back towards the Captain, Commander Moore smiles. "At a guess I'd say the upgrade will be finished within the next two hours. Several hours ahead of schedule, which means I'll have plenty of time to do some testing."

"Good. So what's been done?"

"Well, as you know the EmA drive works by heating anti-matter, which in turn generates electricity to power the electromagnetic portion of the drive." Commander Moore points to the huge cone shaped chamber in the centre of the room. "That electromagnetic energy then bounces around this cone shaped chamber, which somehow provides enough thrust to get us nearly four and a half light years in only six years instead of thousands. Bloody amazing!"

"Commander Moore. I know all of this, so why the lecture? And what does this have to do with the new Shield upgrades?"

"Well, you see. That's the fascinating miniature EM drive part Sir. The shield emitter on each ship is powered by its own EM generator. However, the power of the main drive is through the antimatter portion, that allows for more electromagnetic strength. By splicing the main shield emitter to the main drive we can send a stronger pulse throughout the shield with no lessening in its effectiveness. In fact, if my calculations are right then this shouldn't just improve the effectiveness of the shield, but double its strength."

"But wouldn't that reduce the effectiveness of the Drive?" Captain Martinez asks curiously.

"You'd think that wouldn't you, but all of the calculations show that any lessening in effectiveness is negligible. And when I say negligible, I'm talking less than 0.01% in drive reduction. If we're unlucky it'll add a few days onto our journey." A smiling Commander leans, arms crossed against the wall. "Well worth it I'd say Sir."

"Well, let's just hope nothing goes wrong." Captain Martinez replies. A curious look passes across his face and he turns, his eyes taking in the large Drive. "Commander, a thought comes to mind. Of course I have a basic concept of how the drive works, but, what about waste? Looking over the design I fail to see any exhausts. So where does the waste go from the process?"

"Ah yes, well, that's because there isn't any Sir." Commander Moore says, a wry smile on his face.

The Captain's eyes close, a pained look flitting across his face, before opening his eyes and looking back at Commander Moore. "Please explain how that's possible Commander. I know enough about science to know that for every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction, meaning anything we create that has thrust, has some form of waste. Surely the same applies for this Drive. After all science is science."

"Yes I agree. However Sir, the EmA Drive violates Newton's Third Law."

"How can it be violated? It simply is, it's a fact of nature."

Commander Moore sighs and stands upright. "Okay, I'm not sure how to explain this part Sir. You know of Newton's Third Law of course, anything that generates thrust, say for instance a jet engine, The engine generates thrust by expelling hot gases backwards, which in turn moves the jet forwards."

"Yes Commander, I know how Newton's Third Law works. That doesn't explain how the Drive can violate it. That's not possible Commander."

"The EmA Drive doesn't expel anything at all, there is no opposing reaction. As the electromagnetic energy bounces around and collides with the chamber's walls they propel the device forward and as  the Drive propels forwards, so too does whatever it is attached to. The effect is cumulative Sir, so the longer the Drive is active the faster we go. Of course there is a limit, but it's fast enough to get us where we need to go in years rather than generations." Commander Moore explains.

A deep sigh emanates from the Captain's lips. "And again, that doesn't explain why there's no exhaust waste Joshua."

"Honestly Captain, this drive is beyond our scientific knowledge. No one knows exactly HOW it works, just that it does. Beyond our wildest dreams." With a negligent shrug of his shoulders Commander Moore moves away from the wall. "Maybe someday we'll fully comprehend the inner workings of our finest creation to date. In all honesty if this world wide disaster hadn't knocked on our door we'd never have used something we didn't fully understand." Another negligent shrug and Commander Moore sighs." Needs must when the Devil drives."   

A voice pipes over the Comm system. "Captain, please report to the bridge."

"Very well Commander. Inform me when the upgrade is complete please. Needs must indeed Commander." Captain Martinez replies as he turns and walks away, heading for the Bridge.

Chapter 35: Martinez

T-Minus 13 Hours to launch window

Captain Martinez strides confidently down the corridor, his feet automatically taking him where he needs to be as his thoughts jumble in his head. The conundrum of Angie, and her history distracting him from dealing with the desperate rush to ready the ship for launch.  Shaking Angie from his thoughts, Captain Martinez enters the bridge, spotting his XO. Smiling at the delightful task before him, he captures her attention and waves her to follow him.

Seating himself within his ready room, Captain Martinez smiles as Commander Liza Sharpe comes to attention. Wisps of her fiery red hair escaping the tight bun, frame a regal face and high cheekbones. Her green eyes firing out sparks of curiosity and intelligence. "You wanted to see me Sir?"

"At ease Commander, take a seat." He replies, pointing to the chair nearest her. "I've a task for you Liza." Captain Martinez says as she seats herself.

"Of course what would you like me to do?" She responds.

"First things first, is the ship ready for launch Liza?"

"As of an hour ago every section has reported in except the shield array. Reports confirm that we are fully stocked and ready to go, we're just waiting on Commander Moore to complete the shield upgrades he's started. Estimates show they will be complete within 5 hours." Smiling, she gestures idly. "All things going well."

"Excellent news, thank you. You've done an excellent job Liza. I'd like you to put together a crew to help you command the Condor. I'm confident that you will undertake this responsibility with the perfection I've come to expect of you." Standing, Captain Martinez walks around the desk and stretches out his hand. "Congratulations Captain Sharpe."

Blinking, surprised, Liza stands and shakes her Captain's hand. "Thank you Sir! I won't let you down."

"I know you won't Liza, and it's Sebastian, please. I'll ensure that the supply office has a new set of Captain's pips for you before we leave. This is an official promotion Liza. I want you to have permanent command of the Condor." Captain Martinez smiles at the shocked look on her face and turns back to his chair.

"I'm afraid you'll have to deal with a bit of a skeleton crew until we get to the Mars base. Several ships have taken in extra personnel that were on holiday in their areas when the meteor showers started, so we'll be able to fully outfit you within the next couple of weeks. We'll also be transferring a full complement of passengers to the ship once we're in orbit around Mars."

As the Captain re seats himself, Liza falls back into her chair. "Of course Si..er.. Sebastian. I understand. Is the Condor to launch with you, or are we waiting for the official launch date on the 6th?" She asks. Her mind already turning to the logistical problems about to surround her.

"There's still a chance that survivors could show up, so you'll be using the later launch date." Pausing, he blinks and comes to a decision. "There is something I can do to help you with your crew issue. But, it's more than a little unconventional." A wry grimace flashes across his face as he looks at Liza.

"Well. I'm quite used to unconventional thinking. It is why you requested me as your first officer Sebastian." She grins and continues. "I take it, that it's not an accepted unconventional from the look on your face. You look like you're in pain."

"Yes, well, her name is Angie. And she's quite proficient and knowledgeable about the ships and would be invaluable especially in such circumstance as you're likely to find yourself in, with a skeleton crew." He says hesitantly.

"Cap... er, Sebastian, this prevarication is quite unlike you. I'd almost think you were trying to hoist something illegal onto me." She laughs. Her laughter trailing off as the seriousness of Sebastian's face impinges into her thoughts. "Oh no. It IS illegal!"

"As to that Liza, technically yes, Angie is illegal. However..."

"Wait. The female's the illegal?" What on earth is going on Captain?"

"Sebastian, please. We have the same rank now Liza. And yes, technically, Angie is an illegal piece of technology."

"Oh She's an AI then?" Liza responds, shrugging her shoulders negligently. "I know they're illegal and all, but if someone's created one then surely they figured out the Adam conundrum, or you wouldn't even consider mentioning the possibility of using it."

Blinking in surprise, Sebastian finally laughs and relaxes. "I should have known. Very well Liza, yes. Angie is an AI. And when you meet her, please don't call her an IT. She's quite, human in her emotions. And yes, the Adam conundrum seems to have been solved. She is the artificial representation of an actual human mind. She's with the Doctor and a young trainee psychologist as we speak, being assessed." Leaning back in his chair, Sebastian finally relaxes.

Liza claps her hands in delight, her face beaming with a brilliant smile. "I can't wait to meet her! She sounds fascinating." Calming down, her face suddenly turns serious. "I would like to meet her before she becomes part of my crew Sebastian. The one thing I do not want is an unknown, but if you feel confident that she can help then, I see no problem with it."

"Okay Liza, the Condor is yours. Get yourself a crew together, and I'll contact you once Angie is available."

"Thank you. Uh, if she's an AI can't she be in more than one place at once?" She asks, pausing mid rise, a look of confusion on her face.

A laugh escapes Sebastian and he turns to his personal comm. Accessing the Holo room, his grinning image appears in the room. "Sorry to interrupt but I have a question. Angie, are you limited to being in one place at a time, or can you multi task, with different holo's?" He asks. "I've someone you need to meet, and a time limit to get everything done before tonight."

Blinking, Angie looks confused. "Captain, right now, even with Kyle giving me civilian access. I'm just like you, only holographic." She smiles. "Can you be in two places at once?"

"Well, that answer was unexpected." Captain Martinez responds.

"Well, father felt that being able to be in more place than once was counter intuitive towards building trust. I do have the capability, it's just...shut off." She shrugs and stares directly at the Captain's image. "To be honest, I'd prefer not to use it unless it's absolutely needed. But yes, if needed I can activate that function within my system Captain." She grimaces and sighs, waiting patiently for a response.

"Well. I don't think I need to meet her Sebastian." A female voice sounds out from the Captain's image. "I've heard all I need to hear and I think you're right. She'll be invaluable to me." The Captain's image wavers and is joined by a young woman's smiling face.

"Hello Angie. My names Liza and I'm taking control of the Condor. Unfortunately I'll be doing so with a skeleton staff and Captain Martinez felt that your assistance would be invaluable to me." Turning and grinning at the Captain she continues. "I agree." Turning back to Angie, she smiles again. "So, want to be a part of my crew young lady?" She asks.

A burbling of delighted laughter bursts from Angie's mouth, her eyes wide with happiness and surprise. "I'd love to Captain! But.." Suddenly her face falls as sadness engulfs her expressive face. "I have to tell you, I'm not what I appear to be..."

A sudden sound cuts her off, and Angie stares at the grinning, laughing image of Liza. "Young lady I know exactly what you are! And it doesn't bother me one iota. Are you going to try and kill me and my crew? Do you hate humans, think we've fucked up so badly that we deserve to be extinct for the protection of every other living thing?" She asks, the sudden seriousness on her face belied by the twinkle of suppressed humour showing in her eyes. "Well young lady are you going to answer me?" She barks. Her lips writhing in an attempt not to smile.

Outrage slams through Angie as she pushes to her feet. "Why the hell would I want to be so vicious Captain? Would YOU do such horrid things just because someone's an annoying, pompous, self-aggrandizing little shit!" She shouts, her temper flaring.

Unable to control herself anymore, Liza starts to laugh, her image turning to look at Captain Martinez. "Oh I like her!" Her laughing image turns back to face the confused image of Angie. "Welcome to the crew of the Condor young lady!"

Angie's image slowly lowers back into her chair, her face reflecting her confusion. "What?"

The smiling image of Captain Martinez comes back into focus on the screen. "Doc, Elise. I know you've likely not had as much time talking with Angie as you'd like, but could you please give me your official opinion."

Elise pipes up, her eyes twinkling with suppressed mirth. "Well, as you just saw, she has a little bit of a temper, and touchy subjects have a tendency to set her off. However, it's your typical human reaction to idiotic questions and bigotry. Quite normal under the circumstances. However." Turning to Angie, she frowns. "She has next to no emotional control when confronted by aggressive negativity." Turning back to face the Captain's image, she sighs. "To sum it up, she's going through an electronic version of puberty. This situation is unusual only in so far as until recently, she's had no human interaction, other than with her father. This has somewhat stunted her emotional growth, and rectifying it will take time."

"I concur with Elise. Angie's emotional growth needs to be carefully tended, like any child coming into adulthood. I wouldn't want Angie, cut off from either myself or Elise. And for now I'd suggest her contact with others is limited, and a slow introduction process formulated."

"Captain, how many people will be in your crew on the Condor?" Elise asks.

"Well, I'm not sure, but the minimum I'd need, just to keep the thing running is about fifty people. As it is, we'll all be pulling doubles until we reach Mars orbit. Why?" Liz responds.

"Okay, I'll provisionally approve her working with your crew, but I have to strongly suggest that she has open access to myself at any time day or night. Right now, her sense of self has been heavily damaged Captain." Elise replies, her eyes catching the distinctly uncomfortable gaze of Captain Martinez. "I'm also going to have to insist on scheduled appointments. To start with, at least one a day. Once I'm confident she's working through these issues we can reschedule to once a week, and so on." Turning back to face Angie, Elise smiles. "I know it might seem a bit much to you. But I think you'll be needing me for some time to come. You may have an artificial brain, but your reactions are quite human, and any type of psychological issue is something that needs to be worked on carefully."

A tearful, smiling face greets Elise's gaze, and Angie's hands hover above hers. "Thank you Elise. I think I'd like the chance to be able to speak with you daily. And I'd love to meet your family."

Elise's laugh reverberates through the room. "Lilla doesn't do much, but Jeremiah is a fire cracker. He might even wear you out!"

Captain Martinez coughs, drawing the rooms attention once more. "Doctor, your report please."

"Yes, well. To put it bluntly she's a sentient, conscious being with a highly placed intelligence quotient. And all the human failings that come with it." He smiles and harrumphs. "As for my final report, I'd like it known that I believe Angie does not pose a threat in so much as any other 'person' poses a threat. That is to say, given rules and regulations to follow, and with therapy I believe she could be a valuable member of the exodus. My official report will state that she is to be given sentient status and treated as such."

Turning away from the Captain's image, Doctor Lewis frowns and stares at Angie. "Young lady, you have a hard path ahead of you. Racism, hatred and bigotry, try as we might to excise it, still exists. And you are going to have to learn how to deal with this in a proper manner." Seeing the upset look on her face he shakes a finger at her. "Now lass, your responses so far have not been bad, simply an overreaction to a perceived threat, and rightly so. It's simply a matter of learning the social mores and acceptable reactions and responses to such small minded people."

"Well then." Captain Martinez speaks into the sudden silence. "Let me be the first to officially welcome you to the Resolute Angie."

"Thank you Captain." Angie whispers, her response timid and unsure.

"Well?" Liza demands. "Do I get my new crew member Angie?"

"I'd like that Captain. I really would."

"Then I'll meet you on board the Condor's Holo suite Angie, and we'll start discussing such pertinent matters as are needed." Liza responds, beaming at the room as she disappears from view.

"Uh." Angie blinks, at a loss for words. Her body motionless.

"Angie, I'll need you to access your system. Active your ship to ship system. You'll still be here, but you're going to need to be able to access the Condor's systems. I'd also like you to synch in with all the other ships and report on the numbers that are space worthy. I'll forward a missive for all of the ships Captain's that you can send off."

"Uh, yes Captain." She replies, her eyes still wide and blinking as the Captain nods and disappears. "Uhm" Turning to face a smiling Elise and Doctor, she blinks rapidly in surprise.

"What just happened?"

Chapter 34: Angie

"What is going on here?" Doctor Lewis demands angrily.  "Who's been treating this child so despicably Captain?"

Entering the room, Captain Martinez approaches the desk and frowns as he looks at the Doctor. "I have Doc." He says.

A low growl emits from the Docs throat as he stands. "I can't believe that Captain. You're the most fair minded and level headed man I've ever had the privilege to know and work with. What is going on here?"

"Captain, Angie seems to be suffering from a severe case of identity crisis. You wouldn't normally see this severe of a case in a very well spoken and coherent adult. I don't entirely understand what's happening here but this young woman needs therapy." Shaking her head, Elise stands and looks towards Angie with love and compassion brimming from her eyes. "I'm here for you Angie."

A cleared throat draws everyone's attention back to the Captain, and the sudden look of discomfort on his face. "I'd have to say that Angie seemed like a reasonably well adjusted young woman given her past, I'm afraid I really am the reason she's having these issues. I asked her to meet with both of you for a very specific purpose, and gave her leeway on how she chose to express herself. Which was very important." Clearing his throat again, he looks at the two people in front of him and their confused expressions, a little sheepishly, he continues. "I judged her, harshly. And recent information has come to light that necessitated this meeting between the three of you. Now I'm going to ask you a couple of questions and I want an honest answer from you both before I tell you why."

Both Elise and Doctor Lewis silently nod in assent. Grim, angry looks belying their silence with unspoken recriminations.

"Firstly, I'd like to know what you think about her mental health please Elise."

Folding her arms as a barrier, Elise clears her throat. "I'm not an expert in the field by any means, however, what training I have indicates to me that despite her experiences and her tendency to blame herself for the faults of others." She says, glaring at the Captain. "She is surprisingly well balanced, mentally speaking. She has a good understanding of what is happening to her, and is able to articulate her issues in a clear and concise manner. All in all, I'd say with a little therapy she'd be as healthy, mentally speaking as you or I." She stops, pausing for a moment before starting again. "Well maybe not you Captain. I'm afraid I'm questioning your mental health right about now." She finally blurts out, her anger radiating in almost visible waves from her rigid body.

"Yes, well." Captain Martinez grumbles, his gaze shifting from the obviously irate girl. "Let's move on shall we." He says, turning to look at the Doctor. "Doctor, in your opinion does this woman show signs of sentience and sapience to you?" He asks hesitantly.

"What hell on earth have I fallen into?" What kind of stupid moronic question is that!?" He bursts out angrily.

"Just, answer the question Doctor. Please."

Shaking his head emphatically, the Doctor growls. "I will not answer such a demeaning and rotten question Captain."

Captain Martinez glances towards Kyle and they both nod. "That's answer enough Doctor, thank you." Turning to look down at Angie, he smiles. "This next part is up to you Angie, it's your choice. I'm not going to force you into this. I have the answers I need to make an informed decision now. And I'm sorry, truly sorry for how I've treated you."

Angie turns her head, raising it to look up at the Captain, a wide smile breaking across her face. "Thank you Captain, that means a lot to me." Turning back to face Elise and Doctor Lewis, she takes a deep breath. "Please sit down. I need to explain some things to you that you may not like. Please, listen and try not to judge me too harshly before I've finished explaining."

"On that note, I'm going to leave Kyle here. I have to get back to running this rust bucket. You know where I'll be if you need me. Oh and Kyle. Do it."

A look of surprise ripples across Kyle's face. "Are you certain Captain. once done it cannot be undone."

Resting a hand on Kyle's shoulder, Captain Martinez glances at Angie, then back to Kyle. "I'm sure Kyle. Do it."

"Yes Sir!" He responds, a huge grin splitting his face as Captain Martinez exits.

"Thanks to Kyle, I have knowledge and understanding that I didn't already have. Before today, my past, who I really was, was a blank. but Kyle allowed me access to those files and now I know who I am." Turning her head to face Kyle, she smiles shyly. "Kyle is my brother. When Kyle was a small child, I was his older sister. but I got sick, modern medicine had no cure for what ailed me. In fact they didn't even know what was wrong with me. Over a few years I deteriorated so badly that our father decided to have my brain scanned in minute detail. I, am a result of that scan. Angela Samuels died twelve years ago. But I survived her."

"Father created an artificial brain with the exact synaptic and neural function of Angela. And created me. For all intents and purposes I am an Artificial intelligence, but with a human brain made of synthetic material." Both Elise and Doctor Lewis start in their seats, mixed expressions of shock and surprise blending across their faces as Angie continues. "I won't blame you if you hate me now." She whispers, lowering her head in order to avoid the looks of horror and disgust she expects to see.

"I see." Doctor Lewis whispers. "After the Adam incident, I understand now why the Captain reacted the way he did. But, Angie." He says quietly. "Please look at me Angie." Slowly, her head lifts as if with a will of its own. The tears shimmering in her eyes threatening to fall. "Angie, I was there. I lost a son to Adam. I met Adam. You are not Adam, and I am not so idiotic to think that your father would be so incompetent as to recreate that insanity." His hand reaches out as if to touch her, frustration showing as his fingers pass through her image. "Oh! What I wouldn't give to be able to hug you right now child."

The damn breaks, and Angie clasps her head in her hands, covering her face as the tears finally start to fall. Sobs wracking her body as an outpouring of relief engulfs her. "Thank you Doctor Lewis. Thank you." She whispers.

Kyle's gaze flicks to Elise and he smiles when he sees an almost amused look upon her face. Noticing, she responds by putting out her tongue. "Hey, don't look at me. I never experienced Adam except through old stories. What do I care if she's not got living flesh? It's the brain and what's in it that matters."

She shrugs, once more sticking her tongue out and looking cross eyed at Kyle as he startles into laughter.