Lincoln spoke to Aurora about another special safety feature. “If ever there is any kind of breach that threatens the atmosphere of a specific area of the ship, the ship is designed to seal the damaged section. So, if the hull ruptures or a maglev tunnel rips, the ship automatically contains the bleed with special bulkhead doors, so that the entire ship doesn’t decompress. Any dramatic change in the ambient air pressure triggers the seal.”
“So, if the forest room we were just in started to burn and the air pressure dropped, the forest would be sealed off from the rest of the ship?
“Right.”
“Good idea.” said Aurora as they walked.
“Yeah, we thought so too. That’s why we had them built.”
“Sounds like something the RMS Titanic had. Lots of good it did them.”
“The rupture they faced was more than their system could handle. That doesn’t mean the idea itself was flawed.”
“Now, that I’ve had a glimpse of your ship, are you going to tell me what I’m being recruited for?”
Lincoln answered in a general way, “We would like you to join EPF. We think your profile matches several different areas of expertise , and you could choose from a wide variety of options. For instance your ability to both see the details and the complete picture could lead into either engineering or research."
"Oh great, so something I was studying anyway."
"Right, but you could also be considered for a command capacity because of your assertive personality. We often promote command personnel from within the ranks, but from time to time we feel the need to infuse new blood into our leadership positions. Take me for instance. I was recruited directly into the command program, bypassing others below me in rank. I was first a trainee, then second officer and then first officer. I was given command of this vessel when it was commissioned some years back.”
Aurora yawned as they stepped from the lift into another corridor.
“Is this boring you?”
“Oh no, it’s fascinating, but I just need some shut eye. When do I get to see my new apartment?”
“How about now? This door is yours,” said Lincoln gesturing to one of the many along the hall.
Aurora casually entered her door and gingerly looked around. Lincoln entered also, but kept a respective distance from her. Aurora explored the back rooms until she found her way back to the main living room where Lincoln awaited her.
“So?” he asked.
“Thank you. It’ll do,” Aurora said to her tour guide, her comment pregnant with unspoken words telling him his presence was no longer required.
“Well, I’ll see you in the morning. We’ve had a full day touring this monster of a ship, but tomorrow is going to be even better.”
“What you got planned?” Aurora asked as she led him back to the door.
“I’m taking you flying. Out in space.” And then before he let the door close behind him, “Sleep tight.”
Aurora found her way back to her bedroom, sank down on her bed and closed her eyes with the intention of sleeping, but found it impossible. The thought of more spaceflight excited her, but she still had so many questions about the Legion , and most of them centered on the ship’s amazing central computer system. She called on Athena again.
“Yes, Ms. Dane?” Athena answered.
“Please, call me Aurora.” She said.
“Okay, Aurora. How may I help you?” Athena asked.
Aurora started, “Well, I’d like to get to know you better. Where did you come from?”
Athena didn’t need time to think, “I was first brought online almost eighteen years ago. My matrix was put under construction in a large laboratory clean room somewhere near Tonga two years before my birthday. I call it my birthday, because I wasn’t aware before that date.”
Aurora wanted more. “Who were the people responsible for your creation? Were they alien or human or what? How did you get here if you were built on Earth? How many megahertz are you? What’s your hard drive
“So, if the forest room we were just in started to burn and the air pressure dropped, the forest would be sealed off from the rest of the ship?
“Right.”
“Good idea.” said Aurora as they walked.
“Yeah, we thought so too. That’s why we had them built.”
“Sounds like something the RMS Titanic had. Lots of good it did them.”
“The rupture they faced was more than their system could handle. That doesn’t mean the idea itself was flawed.”
“Now, that I’ve had a glimpse of your ship, are you going to tell me what I’m being recruited for?”
Lincoln answered in a general way, “We would like you to join EPF. We think your profile matches several different areas of expertise , and you could choose from a wide variety of options. For instance your ability to both see the details and the complete picture could lead into either engineering or research."
"Oh great, so something I was studying anyway."
"Right, but you could also be considered for a command capacity because of your assertive personality. We often promote command personnel from within the ranks, but from time to time we feel the need to infuse new blood into our leadership positions. Take me for instance. I was recruited directly into the command program, bypassing others below me in rank. I was first a trainee, then second officer and then first officer. I was given command of this vessel when it was commissioned some years back.”
Aurora yawned as they stepped from the lift into another corridor.
“Is this boring you?”
“Oh no, it’s fascinating, but I just need some shut eye. When do I get to see my new apartment?”
“How about now? This door is yours,” said Lincoln gesturing to one of the many along the hall.
Aurora casually entered her door and gingerly looked around. Lincoln entered also, but kept a respective distance from her. Aurora explored the back rooms until she found her way back to the main living room where Lincoln awaited her.
“So?” he asked.
“Thank you. It’ll do,” Aurora said to her tour guide, her comment pregnant with unspoken words telling him his presence was no longer required.
“Well, I’ll see you in the morning. We’ve had a full day touring this monster of a ship, but tomorrow is going to be even better.”
“What you got planned?” Aurora asked as she led him back to the door.
“I’m taking you flying. Out in space.” And then before he let the door close behind him, “Sleep tight.”
Aurora found her way back to her bedroom, sank down on her bed and closed her eyes with the intention of sleeping, but found it impossible. The thought of more spaceflight excited her, but she still had so many questions about the Legion , and most of them centered on the ship’s amazing central computer system. She called on Athena again.
“Yes, Ms. Dane?” Athena answered.
“Please, call me Aurora.” She said.
“Okay, Aurora. How may I help you?” Athena asked.
Aurora started, “Well, I’d like to get to know you better. Where did you come from?”
Athena didn’t need time to think, “I was first brought online almost eighteen years ago. My matrix was put under construction in a large laboratory clean room somewhere near Tonga two years before my birthday. I call it my birthday, because I wasn’t aware before that date.”
Aurora wanted more. “Who were the people responsible for your creation? Were they alien or human or what? How did you get here if you were built on Earth? How many megahertz are you? What’s your hard drive
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