Chara and the Planet

Chapter No. 30

Chapter No.30.

The big day had finally arrived. The humans gathered in the command center to watch as Chara and her android staff fired up the engines on the interstellar cruiser Avenger to move away from the planet and then go to warp.

"So, where are we going, Chara?" Ryan asked.

"To Centauri system. There are two possible habitable planets there that we will explore, however Proxima Centauri b is the only Centauri system exoplanet the size of Earth. It is not believed to be habitable because of being tidally locked to its dwarf star. I believe we should determine once and for all if it is habitable."

"That's a good start for our exploration of the universe. It's the closest system to our solar system."

"There are many Earth-like exoplanets we can explore," Chara said.

"What if we run into a space faring alien species that won't like us intruding into their system?" Ryan asked.

"This vessel has very powerful weapons and contains many fighter craft."

"Hopefully, we won't need to use them."

Everyone realized that he was trying to assuage their fear of the unknown.

Graviton generators kept the inside of the starship static while the engines propelled the vessel to a proper velocity to enter warp. The giant viewscreen displayed the outside with stars streaking at an ever-increasing velocity. Chara activated the warp drive, and the star streaks became linear light blurs.

Humans felt a slight disorientation with a bit of nausea from going to warp. Androids were unaffected. Quantum effects were disturbing but something that everyone would get used to.

"Well," Ryan said with a smirk. "At least we're still in one piece." He turned to Chara. "How long till we arrive there?"

"Six hours and seven minutes," Chara said.

"I think I'll go check out my quarters," Ryan said. "Let me know when we arrive."

"I will," Chara said.

Ryan entered the turbo lift with Myra. "My quarters are next to yours," she told him with a hint of a smirk.

"That's nice. We'll have plenty of time to socialize."

"I understand that they've assigned an android to each of us," she said. "I guess they want to make sure we behave."

Ryan chuckled. "Or they're just doing it to keep some of them fully activated. Most of the androids are being stored in charging stations."

The lift stopped and the door zipped open. "We can get together later," Ryan said before he walked to his quarters.

Myra gave him a salute before trotting off.

When Ryan arrived at his quarters, the door slid open without any action on his part. He entered the vestibule and then the living area and was amazed by how much space they had allotted. The large living room had several couches and easy chairs arranged around a sunken oval area. Several screens were hanging from the ceiling and there was a large rectangular window at the back wall. Two doors occupied the side wall. One led to his spacious bedroom with a large bed where a closet spanned the length of the back wall. To the left was the entrance to a spacious bathroom with a large walk-in shower.

The sudden appearance of an android made him stop and stare at her. She was a dancing entertainment model with a spectacular figure and blond hair to frame her perfect face. She stood in a seductive pose and smiled. "Hello Ryan, my name is Lulu. Welcome to your quarters."

Ryan offered her a smile. "Thank you. Are you assigned to me?"

"Yes. I can provide you with entertainment and amusement."

"I'm sure you can." Ryan pointed to the back window. "What's that for?"

"That is so that you can observe your swimming pool."

Ryan wanted to offer a smart-alecky crack, but he simply smiled. He had no idea why they included a large swimming pool in a spaceship. It seemed wasteful, but he wasn't surprised. Space Command had a reputation for wasting taxpayer's money.

Ryan plopped down in one of the easy chairs. Lulu came over to stand in front of him, assuming a suggestive pose. He pointed to an easy chair near his. "Have a seat. I have some questions."

She sat in a demure manner and smiled.

Ryan turned to give her a more serious expression. "What sort of experience do you have?"

She tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"You said that you were an entertainment dancer. What experience do you have with that?"

"It is part of my programming."

"Were you part of the shock troops that repulsed the attack on the tower?"

"Yes."

"Were you damaged?"

"Yes. You repaired me."

"It appears that I did a good job."

"I am complete now,"

"Have you ever thought about the quantum physics associated with warp technology?"

"I am familiar with the technology."

"How did you become proficient with it?"

"Chara told me that is was part of my programming."

Ryan offered a subtle smirk. "Is it part of the programming in all of the androids?"

"Yes."

Ryan realized that Chara was aware that she would be piloting a warp drive capable space craft. Is she aware of the future, or does she know something that none of us humans are aware of? Even more important was the question of how this programming was added to other androids.