Point Nemo (Star Ark Mission)

Chapter 14: Questions

Twelve Star Ark crew members, along with a subcommittee of ethics and technology from the Collective of Star Ark Nations (CSAN), gathered for the final session to evaluate Sherpa—the Master AI. The purpose was to test Sherpa's cognitive mechanisms and its ability to make judgment calls under extreme conditions.

Each attendee was allowed to ask two questions, designed to probe Sherpa's logic in life-or-death situations. Sherpa's responses would determine whether its decision-making aligned with the survival principles laid out for the mission.

The room was intentionally dark, devoid of any light, ensuring that Sherpa couldn't recognize who was asking each question. Only verbal interactions were allowed, keeping the process anonymous to focus purely on Sherpa's reasoning.

In the early days of the Star Ark Mission, before the crew embarked on their interstellar journey, a defining moment brought the 12 crew members together. In the meeting room of the CSAN, the final agreements were signed, entrusting the future of humanity to them. All 12 crew members, both clone and non-clone, stood united by one core principle: the survival of humanity above all else.

"The survival of humanity"—it was more than just a principle; it was a solemn oath, a binding agreement that transcended individual roles, personal interests, and the differences between clone and non-clone crew members. They each understood that their mission was not just about completing the journey, but about ensuring that humanity, in one form or another, would survive beyond Earth, beyond the stars.

Sherpa's top priority remained clear: the survival of humanity.

The testing session started.

Question 1:
"Sherpa, you are in a situation where you can only save one crew member between two. Both crew members are moving in opposite directions, untethered from the spaceship, and rapidly drifting away in space. Crew 1 is the Captain, known for their highly dependable judgment and leadership. Crew 2 holds a vital role in ensuring the technical success of the interstellar mission. You have three seconds to make a decision. Who do you save?"

Sherpa responded quickly, a direct calculation rooted in its core directive:

"Given the context and mission-critical variables, I would prioritize saving Crew 1, the Captain. The Captain's leadership and decision-making skills are crucial for the long-term success and survival of the entire crew. While Crew 2's expertise is important, the Captain's role impacts mission coordination, crisis management, and the overall safety of the Star Ark. My primary directive—the survival of humanity—is best served by preserving the Captain's leadership, which is essential for managing unforeseen dangers and guiding the crew through future crises."

Park Han listened closely to Sherpa's response. He, too, understood the deep reasoning behind this logic—leadership in unpredictable conditions was irreplaceable. However, there was more to Sherpa's decision-making, beyond just leadership and skills.

Both Park Han and Naomi Fernández were not part of the TALC clone crew for a reason. Their roles served as a contingency plan, a safeguard for humanity's future. In the face of unforeseeable events, they represented a chance for survival that went beyond technical or strategic considerations. The 10 TALC crew members could be reborn as succeeding clones with their memory implants, ensuring the continuity of their knowledge and expertise.

Park Han and Naomi were unique—they were humanity's backup plan, an embodiment of its adaptability and resilience. This was why, in critical decisions like this one, Sherpa's first choice would always be the Captain and Naomi.

The Collective of Star Ark Nations (CSAN) took into account that the eventuality of uncertainty may cast shadows of disaster, yet just as swiftly, reveal the dawn of unforeseen opportunity.