Moving Forward
13 Mar 2022Sylvie Wayfare
Sylvie sat at her own ship’s bar. Sipping wine as she and Susanne talk on plans for what to do. The expedition, as exciting as it has been, had concluded. C.E.A. Psychiatric Institutions Ltd. had benefited enough from the data pilots had gathered to expand their reach and influence. Plenty of opportunity to ferry people to and from their destinations, as well as the occasional sightseeing request. However, the ever vigilant AI had noticed something odd as the two discussed options for the coming days.“Your responses have been a bit slow tonight hun.” Sylvie says, setting down her drink for the moment and sitting forward. Watching the occasional ‘thought’ cross Susanne’s large screen. “Mind sharing? Or do I need you to start showing your full thought process?”
“Sylvie. I’m investigating an anomaly.” The monotone voice responds. Text starts to flow across the bottom of Susanne’s bar display. Giving Sylvie the latter option by choice.
> Pilot’s Federation record changes
> Pilot’s Federation profiles
> Galnet news articles. Filter: within the week
The text goes on, and Sylvie can only catch a handful of the messages flying past.
“You’re not often interested in the pilot program hun. Why-”
Susanne coldly cuts off her creator. “Large numbers of pilots have changed status from - active - to - retired - While not strange for pilots to cease actions due to death, personal reasons, age, or unknown reasons, I have noticed the large change occur within the past - three - days.”
Sylvie sat up at this. “Three days? Well, you’re right in that it's not a coincidence. Any idea why? How many?”
“More data required. Search in progress. Due to Pilot’s Federation numbers largely being classified, I do not have an exact number. However, I have collected data from known pilots in my own records. Both from those visiting stations, and who previously used or were offered your services. Approximately 37% of known pilots have changed their status from - active - to - retired -”
Sylvie rested her cheek in her palm as she sat forward again, trying to come up with an idea as to why. “You sure age is not the reason? Not finding enough paying work?”
“Checking: Stand by. Negative: age range too drastic to be the cause.”
“Checking: Stand by. Negative: No change in mission payouts. Fluctuations in rewards: normal.”
“Discrepancy detected: 84% of recent retired pilot rankings do not exceed Elite rank. Mercenary and Exobiology rankings not registered for corresponding pilots.”
“So it's based on ranking? Any reason they are being withheld and not going past it? Aside from not doing anything outside of their ship?” Sylvie says, thinking out loud to try and narrow down the reasoning.
“Unknown. Pilot’s Federation ranks past Elite are tied to mercenary and exobiologist ranks due to reasons unknown. High probability of correlation between pilot’s possible frustrations with this discrepancy and sudden mass retirement rates.”
“Internal politics I guess.” Sylvie summarizes to herself. She sighs, takes a sip of her wine, and sets it back down again. “A shame these kids get so worked up over something like that. Regardless of what it is they all did until now.” She finishes her wine glass, and sets it on the small trapdoor to be taken away for cleaning.
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> Pilot Sylvie displeasure detected.
> Processing possible solutions for mood change.
> Bar patron: seat 3: menu display on.
> Bar patron: seat 3: menu obstruction detected - retracting.
“Not that hungry. And I’m not in the mood for a second drink tonight hun.”
> Solution: Failed
> Pilot Sylvie displeasure detected.
> Executing active thought process protocols.
> Pilot Sylvie’s displeasure caused by sudden reduction in number of known pilots retiring due to outside stimuli.
> Reviewing Pilot Sylvie profile.
> Exploit detected.
> Pilot Sylvie enjoys positive reactions of passengers aged 5 through 18 above those of other age ranges.
> Simulating possible solutions.
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Sylvie had left the bar and started making her way to her cabin. There was not a whole lot she could do, outside of what she had been doing already. Sylvie retired to enjoy her time in the galaxy, while others did so to stop out of frustration. As she started changing so she could sleep for the night in Alfven Orbital, the monotone voice of Susanne breaks the silence.
“Sylvie. May I present an idea?”
Sylvie smiles a little, looking over to the screen that had turned on, already without her permission. “Not often you drop in on me like that. You have my attention.”
“Clarification: You enjoy inspiring young humans with aspirations of exploring the Milky Way Galaxy. Is this assessment correct?”
“It beats having them grow up to be savages or throw their lives away for pointless wars. Plus seeing a kid’s face light up when they get a stuffed Beluga is always nice to see.” She finishes changing, and walks over to sit on her bed as Susanne talks more on it’s idea.
“C.E.A. Psychiatric Institutions Ltd. has multiple youth programs. Suggestion: extend sightseeing services to these programs.”
Sylvie lies down, thinking and still looking at the screen Susanne’s name was displayed on by her door. “Field trips? You know, you might be onto something there. We’d have to change the menu to something a bit more kid friendly. That reminds me, order more plushies… I think we’re starting to run out again. We’ll need 'em if we go through with this anyway.”
“Doing so now.”
“It won’t earn us the credits we usually get, but you know what? Some things are just a bit more important! Susanne!” She sits up from bed with conviction. “Start making some offers to those programs.”
“Doing so now.”
“I’ll deal with restocking the ship on food. You’ll set up some nice menus for them when we get it. Remember kids tend to have a much different palette then our usual clients. Until then, start picking out spots that would give them something to learn about. Sol is the obvious one. Black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs. And anything that might relate to subjects they happen to be taught at the time. I want messages from staff flagged as top priority!”
“Doing so now. Mail priority changed.”
Sylvie, invigorated by the potential of instilling wanderlust in future explorers, lies down again, getting ready to rest for the night. “We got a long day of prep tomorrow Susanne. I think you’ll have fun experiencing something new with a different class of guests this month!”
“Rest well Sylvie. I’ll create a schedule guideline.” The panel Susanne uses in Sylvie’s room goes dark.
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> Pilot Sylvie’s emotional status: Positive
> Solution: Successful