The More You Know
14 Apr 2022Sylvie Wayfare
Sylvie, leaning back in her pilot’s chair, looked out the side of her window. Her legs resting on the center console, obscuring the view of her radar, not that she needed it. Nobody would come out here aside from federal security for the system, or sight-seeing miners wanting a familiar sight. There was little of value left here outside of the view. But the view was exactly why The Southern Sun was here. The luxury cruise liner has been playing host to C.E.A. Psychiatric Institutions’ various children's hospitals. All based on the idea of inspiring a generation of explorers at best, and just giving them something nice for them to see and learn about over a week at worst.Sylvie lets out a content sigh, watching as The Southern Sun slowly sailed low over a familiar gas giant’s rings. The ship was out of cruise, so it would continue to have the view of the gas giant’s surface for the last few hours of the night. Sylvie was never a fan of the artificial gravity the ship needs to maintain in situations like this. But it was part of the course, and Sylvie knew some sacrifices would need to be made when taking on this task. Sacrifices she was happy to make for the potential outcome.
“I wish I could see the galaxy like these kids do. You know?” She asked, idly speaking to her artificial companion. “I’ve gotten the temp permit for Sol more times than I can count. Seen the effects of black holes, at least from a safe distance. And while I don’t like waiting to reach it, I’ve seen those ancient probes, heard the voices of dozens of people a thousand years ago with an idea, and a dream.”
The left hand targeting indicator had Susanne’s familiar name and speech line. “You want to share the same feeling your passengers have? Of observing stellar phenomena for the first time?”
“Yea. But these kids are doing more than that. They get to learn about it all too. Plenty of pilots and travelers get the chance to see all these things for the first time. Not too many take the time to learn about it at the same time.” Her eyes fixed onto the surface of the gas giant, watching the famous red spot. “The big storm here used to be bigger, right?”
“Correct. It used to be large enough to contain the planetary body - Earth. -” Susanne replied, borrowing most of the information it had from the collection of notes that C.E.A. staff had given Sylvie before the field trips started.
“I’ve been having fun learning and being reminded of some of this stuff myself. I just hope some of these kids want to go out and explore all of this some day because of it.” She looks down at the console, at Susanne’s representation. “You’ve been fairly quiet, and heard an old woman ramble on about all this. What about you? I’m sure you’ve been learning interesting stuff, right?”
Susanne stayed quiet for a few seconds before responding. “Yes.” It says cryptically.
“Made you think on that one.” Sylvie said, smiling some. Anytime Susanne’s responses were delayed, it was an obvious hint that it was thinking. “Come on. It's just us and the cockpit is sound proofed.”
Knowing Sylvie also enjoys being indulged by its own thoughts, Susanne replied. “The changing concept for the locations of celestial bodies is rather interesting. Ancient Greek astrology placed - Earth - at the center of the universe. - Nicolaus Copernicus - had the - controversial - discovery that placed - Sol - at the center.”
Sylvie chuckled a bit at the answer, clearly bits were taken from the learning material. “Let me guess. Human nature studies for you?”
“Correct.” Susanne replied. It further clarified its thinking. “Humans holding beliefs and truths only to be told new theories or established facts that contradict them, respond in unexpected ways. I find it interesting.”
“I’m glad you’re staying entertained.” Her eyes went back to focus on the familiar gas giant.
“It is a positive detail about human nature that means not all of them would find my existence as terrifying.”
“Of course not Susanne.” Sylvie says, trying to be reassuring to her understandably paranoid companion. “Just like anybody else, you need to know a person before you can really understand them. You’re no different outside of the fact that you’re not human.”
“Humans still fear that which they do not understand.” Susanne clarified. “This does not change any escape protocols.” Hearing Sylvie sigh, Susanne knows that its own worries were occasionally a negative subject for Sylvie. It then, after a few moments, decided to change the subject. “Despite changes to accommodate it, we have been making a - twenty - three - percent - loss in profit since starting these C.E.A. sightseeing trips Sylvie.”
Sylvie looks back down to her terminal, and the representation of Susanne. “I know comprehending things in numbers is more… correct for you hun, but something you need to realize is that just because something is not optimal or most profitable, does not make it wrong. Not all the time anyway. Just look back these past few weeks. Scan the ship and the people on board Susanne. We’re out here for a reason. Giving people a small taste of the wonders and beauty of the stars around us. More importantly, a taste without that sense of violence that too many seem to enjoy. I don’t want to leave this galaxy without knowing something good was in my place. We’re out here to do what feels right.”
A small line of text appears at the bottom of Susanne’s image.
> Pilot profile - updated
“I recall a statement you previously made.” The next sound was Sylvie’s own voice, a recording. One of many Susanne had stored to remind itself of its creator, as well as to know its own purpose. “When I go, I intend on making sure this galaxy is a better place than when I left it. And you're part of what I'll leave behind. You’re my legacy Susanne. Don’t forget that.” Susanne’s own monotone voice follows. “Would you put me under the category of - something good. -”
Sylvie just laughed. “Of course I do hun. You’ve turned out better than I expected over the years. You like making people happy. I just hope whoever ends up in this chair after me does not manipulate that aspect about you.”
“I trust your judgment and my own passenger profiles to ensure that does not happen.”
Sylvie nods. She stretches and starts to rise from her chair. Taking a few steps, looking out at the gas giant one last time for the night. “Tomorrow morning we’re going to the probes again, right?” She asks, getting herself ready to turn in for the night.
“Correct.”
Sylvie sighs, knowing how long that trip ends up being. “You have the controls hun.” The console pings as permission was given to Susanne. “Wake me if anything happens.” She says as she heads off into the pilot’s cabin.
Susanne was left alone. Or at least alone at this section of the ship. Having partially restricted access to the controls of The Southern Sun was rare, but it knew what to do. This was where the ship would be staying for the next few hours. Susanne silently and slowly maneuvered the ship over Jupiter’s rings. It did a scan of the ship. A few people were still awake, most were in the cabins. One was in the newly outfitted life support section of the ship, modified to the hospital’s specifications for medical use. The individual awake there, as well as the side of the ship that faced Jupiter, did seem to be focusing on the gas giant. Susanne only had a rough understanding of why people saw a collection of gas interesting, but did adjust the flight path slightly to get a better view knowing where they were looking both from windows and view screens.
It might not be an optimal flight path, but as its creator said, being optimal is not always important. Doing what felt right was more important.
