space.”
“It’s all about memory, Eisenbraun. Take GOLEM’s voice recognition software. Comprehending the nuances of human speech such as varied dialects, inflection, and in some cases speech impediments requires vast storehouses of memory. Same for the computer’s optical software, which is rigged to thirty-two cameras on board this habitat alone. Then there’s its motion software and its robotic appendages … a virtual nightmare of programming. In the end, we discovered that the larger the vessel’s free solution space, the more fully a DNA solution strand would mature. It’s sort of like an aquarium, the bigger the tank, the larger nature will allow the fish to grow. That was the real reason GOLEM had to shut down lunar operations, not because the computer had suddenly gone ‘HAL 2001 ,’ but because its DNA strands hadn’t evolved fast enough to run two autonomous systems concurrently. Of course, try explaining that to our vice president, whose expertise is in fusion, not computers.”
“Why even house GOLEM aboard Oceanus ? Couldn’t it simply run operations remotely from Earth like it did on the moon?”
“The moon had Alpha Colony, with its relay satellites. Europa’s a lot farther away, lacking a communication outpost.”
“And this training mission—exactly what are the computer’s responsibilities over the next forty-five days?”
“GOLEM will monitor the crew during their work shifts, evaluate their performances, then oversee all life-support systems while the crew is held in cryogenic stasis. We want the computer’s DNA strands to continue to evolve, readying GOLEM for the Europa mission onboard Oceanus II . By the time our solar shuttle reaches Jupiter, the computer’s increased level of sophistication should allow it to gain full use of its robotic arms.”
“You equipped GOLEM with appendages? Why even send a human crew to Europa? Just let the computer handle the entire mining operation.”
“We could have sent GOLEM—if we had another four years to develop a series of robotic appendages capable of operating underwater at extreme depths and temperatures. Since we don’t have the time, the process of capping and siphoning helium-3 from Europa’s hydrothermal vents has to be performed by our crew. For that, we’ll use the two-man submersibles docked outside the lower deck.” Monique feigned a smile. “Andria’s been trained as one of the sub pilots; once we anchor along the bottom of the Ross Sea you should ask her to take you out for a ride.”
“She told you about us, but she never told me she was involved in this mission.”
“Lovers may keep secrets, but you’ll learn there are no secrets among Oceanus ’s crew.”
“Warning: Six minutes until descent.”
We glanced up at the neon-blue sensory orb poised overhead.
“Six minutes, Eisenbraun. Six minutes, six weeks … six years. Six men and six women onboard … and you. GOLEM selected us as much for how our personalities mesh as for our skills. Which begs the question—where does that leave you? Assuming one of our crew really needs to be replaced, are you sure you’re the one who is best fit to replace them? Better think it through, you only have five and a half minutes before we submerge.”
For the first time, the magnitude of my decision to be here weighed seriously on my mind. “GOLEM, locate Andria Saxon.”
“Andria Saxon is in Stateroom One, located on Deck Two.”
I looked around, lost.
Monique pointed to a vertical ladder harbored inside one of the six bulkheads. “When you speak with Andria, be sure to ask her if she minds sharing her suite with you. Twelve suites, thirteen crew.”
I hurriedly descended the steel ladder to Deck Two, only to find myself standing in a circular corridor, the crew’s suites located along the outside, the entrances to far larger compartments on the inside. Heading counterclockwise, I passed Stateroom Eight on my right, the galley on my left. In full sprint
“It’s all about memory, Eisenbraun. Take GOLEM’s voice recognition software. Comprehending the nuances of human speech such as varied dialects, inflection, and in some cases speech impediments requires vast storehouses of memory. Same for the computer’s optical software, which is rigged to thirty-two cameras on board this habitat alone. Then there’s its motion software and its robotic appendages … a virtual nightmare of programming. In the end, we discovered that the larger the vessel’s free solution space, the more fully a DNA solution strand would mature. It’s sort of like an aquarium, the bigger the tank, the larger nature will allow the fish to grow. That was the real reason GOLEM had to shut down lunar operations, not because the computer had suddenly gone ‘HAL 2001 ,’ but because its DNA strands hadn’t evolved fast enough to run two autonomous systems concurrently. Of course, try explaining that to our vice president, whose expertise is in fusion, not computers.”
“Why even house GOLEM aboard Oceanus ? Couldn’t it simply run operations remotely from Earth like it did on the moon?”
“The moon had Alpha Colony, with its relay satellites. Europa’s a lot farther away, lacking a communication outpost.”
“And this training mission—exactly what are the computer’s responsibilities over the next forty-five days?”
“GOLEM will monitor the crew during their work shifts, evaluate their performances, then oversee all life-support systems while the crew is held in cryogenic stasis. We want the computer’s DNA strands to continue to evolve, readying GOLEM for the Europa mission onboard Oceanus II . By the time our solar shuttle reaches Jupiter, the computer’s increased level of sophistication should allow it to gain full use of its robotic arms.”
“You equipped GOLEM with appendages? Why even send a human crew to Europa? Just let the computer handle the entire mining operation.”
“We could have sent GOLEM—if we had another four years to develop a series of robotic appendages capable of operating underwater at extreme depths and temperatures. Since we don’t have the time, the process of capping and siphoning helium-3 from Europa’s hydrothermal vents has to be performed by our crew. For that, we’ll use the two-man submersibles docked outside the lower deck.” Monique feigned a smile. “Andria’s been trained as one of the sub pilots; once we anchor along the bottom of the Ross Sea you should ask her to take you out for a ride.”
“She told you about us, but she never told me she was involved in this mission.”
“Lovers may keep secrets, but you’ll learn there are no secrets among Oceanus ’s crew.”
“Warning: Six minutes until descent.”
We glanced up at the neon-blue sensory orb poised overhead.
“Six minutes, Eisenbraun. Six minutes, six weeks … six years. Six men and six women onboard … and you. GOLEM selected us as much for how our personalities mesh as for our skills. Which begs the question—where does that leave you? Assuming one of our crew really needs to be replaced, are you sure you’re the one who is best fit to replace them? Better think it through, you only have five and a half minutes before we submerge.”
For the first time, the magnitude of my decision to be here weighed seriously on my mind. “GOLEM, locate Andria Saxon.”
“Andria Saxon is in Stateroom One, located on Deck Two.”
I looked around, lost.
Monique pointed to a vertical ladder harbored inside one of the six bulkheads. “When you speak with Andria, be sure to ask her if she minds sharing her suite with you. Twelve suites, thirteen crew.”
I hurriedly descended the steel ladder to Deck Two, only to find myself standing in a circular corridor, the crew’s suites located along the outside, the entrances to far larger compartments on the inside. Heading counterclockwise, I passed Stateroom Eight on my right, the galley on my left. In full sprint
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