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The Adventures of
DICC & Jane
Preface
What started as a simple writing exercize escalated into something of an actual work of science fiction. I just wanted to write something far out in left field... and by the time I realized there needed to be a second chapter... and a third... it had become a full-fledged narrative. It's strange how stories can spring from nothing so easily when you least expect it.
I do intend to continue this story (as I do most of my other stories). But, as my other half often assures me, I'm fated to begin all my tales in youth to finish them in my autumn and winter years. It will give me something to do in retirement, anyway.
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Page 1
All calm on the western hemisphere. Jane sighed to herself, scrolling through coordinates with little interest. Altair 4, that great and purple eyesore, revolved imperceptibly and placidly below her.
"TERRAFORMATION 37% COMPLETION." DICC announced, sounding pleased. Odd that a computer could be pleased. Infuriating that it sounded pleased with one percent progress in seven hours.
"DICC, can you give me a reading on samples 11, 20, and 57?"
"OXYGEN: 12% SATURATION. NITROGEN: 3% SATURATION. CARBON:..."
"A simple 'stable' or 'unstable' or 'same goddamn s**t, ma'am' would suffice..."
"... I APOLOGIZE. YOU HAD ASKED FOR A READING. MY DEFINITION MUST BE INCORRECT. PLEASE DEFINE?"
Jane's gloved finger hovered over the mute button for a moment, then she sighed to herself and withdrew the hand, placing it to her face instead. AI is not something you can merely mute. Not in this century, anyway.
"No, DICC, you're right. I meant condensed status report. Please give me a condensed-"
"SAMPLE 11: UNSTABLE. SAMPLE 20: UNSTABLE. SAMPLE 57: UNSTABLE. ORGANIC SUSTAINABILITY CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN REACHED. TERRAFORM ATTEMPT 4 INCOMPLETE. WOULD YOU LIKE MORE DATA, JANE?"
She sighed again. What she wouldn't give for some actual human
conversation.
"No, DICC. Thank you. Continue protocols. I'm going to the rec."
"VERY WELL. DILITHIUM IONIC CENTRAL CORE TO STANDBY-PROTOCOL MODE."
Jane rose from her seat at the vast control panel, trod heavily to the hatch, and through it. The
shutter-like doors cycled shut behind her.
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