Explanations

“Greetings,” an androgynous voice startled him awake. Calvo sprang out of his chair.

“Who’s there?” he asked somewhat excitedly. He turned to see Twelve entering the room, a questioning look on her face.

“What was that voice?” she asked.

Before he could respond the voice spoke again, “I am AISS 8, an artificial intelligence sub-system aboard this vessel.

“What is your function and why are we here?” Calvo asked spinning around trying to pinpoint where the voice was coming from. It seemed to be coming from everywhere at once.

“I am responsible for the operation of all systems pertaining to living quarters and recreation facilities aboard this vessel. Unfortunately, I may not answer the second part of your inquiry at this time.”

“Why the hell not?” Twelve chimed in, obviously frustrated.

“Access to that information is restricted.” It responded neutrally.

“Well what information do we have access to?” Calvo asked calmly. He was as frustrated as Twelve by there predicament but this was no time to lose their cool.

“You currently have no clearance aboard this vessel; however, I have been authorized to answer questions that pertain directly to my function. Additionally, you have been given limited access to the holographic and replication systems onboard this deck.” The voice responded.

“Please elaborate.” Calvo asked.

At his request AISS 8 explained each of their questions. Calvo was surprised to find out that the apartments were merely holographic chambers capable of producing energy fields that looked and felt like, well… pretty much anything they could think of. This technology was at least fifty years ahead of human technology, and Calvo had a feeling that they hadn’t even scratched the surface of what this ship was capable of.

After grilling the AI for nearly an hour Calvo finally posed a question that had been on his mind for some time now, “Are we free to leave?” There was an unusually long delay before AISS 8 responded.

“At this time you will not be permitted to leave this deck,” the AI almost sounded apologetic.

“Are the others alright?” Twelve asked meekly.

“Rest assured that your companions are alright,” Twelve seemed to relax considerably knowing that Eighteen and the Lieutenant were safe.

“We require rest and,” his stomach growled ferociously, “food.”

Now it was AISS 8’s turn to ask questions, “Please elaborate on your needs.”

Hungry and tired Calvo wasted no time in describing the basic needs of humans. The AI listened intently as he outlined the basic concepts surrounding sleeping and eating and detailed what was necessary to fulfill those needs. Based on his descriptions the AI began designing their room accordingly and in a surprisingly short time the once barren apartment was nicely furnished.

“Does it satisfy your needs?” the AI queried.

Calvo and Twelve inspected the room, occasionally tapping the holographic furniture to ensure it was stable. It was. “It will suit our needs just fine,” Calvo finally answered.

“Very well,” Calvo caught a hint of pride in the AI’s usually neutral tone, “be aware that at any time you may change the layout and content of this room to better fit needs.”

“What about food?” Calvo asked, his stomach once again making him aware of its displeasure.

“Unfortunately, replication is far more difficult than creating holograms,” AISS 8 admitted, “while the replicators are capable of reproducing the organic nutrients that you require, without direct scanning or extensive programming they will be unable to produce anything that you would recognize as food.”

On the coffee table directly in front of them two plates and two glasses of water appeared. On each of the plates was an identical black pellet. Calvo looked suspiciously at the ‘food’, “are we supposed to eat that?” he asked.

“Yes,” was the simple response, “Your body chemistry has been analyzed and the nutrients and proteins your species requires to survive have been encapsulated into this food,” it continued, “more specifically, the pellet to your right is designed specifically to meet the needs of the male of your species, while the one on the left is designed for consumption by a female member.”

“What happens if I eat the one on the left?” Calvo’s curiosity got the better of him.

“That would be an inadvisable course of action,” the AI warned.

Calvo turned to Twelve who was ogling the pellet suspiciously. Surprisingly she took the initiative and walked over to the food. She picked it up and examined it carefully for a moment before popping it in her mouth. Her face wrinkled in disgust and she reached for the glass of water, drinking deeply.

“It tastes like emergency rations,” she finally admitted, polishing off the water in an attempt to eliminate the aftertaste.

Calvo shrugged and walked over to his meal. Opting not to chew he put the pellet in his mouth and washed it down with a glass of water before the thin membrane holding it together dissolved. Even still, it left a faintly bitter aftertaste in his mouth.

He was somewhat surprised to admit that the pill had worked well. A few minutes after eating the pellet and his hunger had dissipated and part of his energy had returned he reached up to his nose and felt it tentatively, it ached, but shockingly it was no longer broken. In fact, apart from behind exhausted, Calvo would have sworn that he felt better than he ever had. He turned to Twelve and though nothing was said he could tell by the look on her face that she was experiencing the same thing as him.

“We had best get some sleep,” Calvo finally broke the silence. Wordlessly he made his way for the door.

“Where are you going?” Twelve asked. Calvo thought he heard an undertone of panic in her soft voice.

“Well, I just figured that… you know…” he stammered, “Wanted to sleep alone.”

Her face turned beat red, “I… um… I just thought it would be better if we didn’t get separated,” she said lamely.

Calvo’s heart was racing now. “Did you want to take the bedroom?” he asked.