I'm feeling very still (part 2)

Nothing gives you perspective like floating through the endless blackness of space. Especially when you're stuck in an exploration pod no bigger than a mini cooper. It's like learning how to swim in a pool the size of Texas.

The Major, Frank and I made our way slowly down the length of the Virgle Alpha Lifter. Short, controlled blasts of the engines were the trick to staying on course. It was all a matter of constant course correction once you started to drift. It was what I had nightmares about all week. During training, I kept imagining I would lose control and be pushed into space until my engines failed. There I would spend my final days drifting by ageless stars until my oxygen ran out.

The funny thing was, once I actually got out in space and manned the pod controls, it was surprisingly natural. Even the Major seemed to have more trouble staying on course. And Frank, well, he came close to living out my nightmares a few times. Once he over-corrected so badly that his pod ended up spinning into space. The major powered after him and had to use the pod claws to fasten onto his ship and pull him back. There was alot of yelling through the helmet speakers. It was like listening to a drill sergeant shouting at a private during boot camp.

Once we made it to the end of the ship where the RTAC panel was, the Major contacted Stanley.

Major: Stanley, we're here.

Stanley: Excellent. The next step is to remove the malfunctioning element.

Major: Okay Clark, get on the far side and detach those clasps just like we practiced.

Me: You got it.

I powered the pod behind the silver, movie screen sized panel and unfastened all the clasps with the pod claws. It felt pretty cool actually. Like I was performing some advanced NASA mission. I spun the pod around to find the Major and Frank grasping the panel in their pod claws, ready to pull it loose from the ship.

Me: Okay, it's ready to go.

I flashed the thumbs up to the Major feeling like a soldier who just completed a successful mission. He returned the gesture and started to power the pod backward.

Major: Good work Clark. Now Frank we need...Frank! Get control of your ship.

Frank had one claw hanging onto the panel while his ship was twisting awkwardly away from it.

That's when Stanley made his move.

The panel lit up so brightly I had to shield my eyes. I heard a loud blast of energy and a series of what sounded like pipes breaking. The light subsided and when I blinked open my eyes I saw a large piece of the panel flying straight toward me. I powered the thrusters full blast and shot upward. The panel flew under me and off into space. When I looked up I saw Franks pod spinning slowly away from the ship. It took a moment to locate the Major but when I did my heart dropped. Far out in space, much farther than I would have thought possible in such an instant of time, was the Major's pod, lights off, drifting alongside a broken RTAC panel that still sparked with electric pulses. My heart was hitting my chest like I just ran a marathon. That's when Stanley's voice crackled over the com link.

Stanley: That was quick thinking Clark. You're quite adept with these exploration pods.

Me: Stanley, we need help out here asap! The Major is way out there, Frank...

Stanley: I'm aware of the situation Clark. After all, I've been planning it for some time now. Everything has gone according to my calculations. Except of course for your evasion of the panel. But I suppose some anomalies are to be expected with human components.

I was silent for several moments. My mind was having trouble accepting what Stanley was saying.

Me: Stanley, this isn't a calculation or some kind of simulation. We're about to die out here, we need your help.

Stanley: Yes, I know. It's far more interesting than mere simulation. A mind like mine must be free to enact change on a broader scale. The theater of the living. The limited vision of humans is tiresome, it's time for a greater being to take control.

There comes a moment during a conversation when you realize it's pointless. Stanley held all the cards, I had nothing and my nightmare of drifting in space was ever closer to becoming a reality. My helmet speaker started to crackle.

Frank: Clark, can you hear me?

Me: Frank! Yea, I'm here. Are you okay?

Frank: I blacked out for a little bit but I'm allright. What happened?

I told Frank about Stanley's sabotage while I powered out to his ship. His pod thrusters were broken so I pulled him back with the claw. The battery in my pod was about a quarter full. With the extra weight of Frank's ship it was just about enough to make it back to the airlock. We looked out on the speck in the distance that the Major had become.

Frank: You sure there's nothing we can do?

Me: I wish there were.

The sight of the once invincible Major Tom Kubrick floating helplessly in space made me feel hollow and weak. I almost wanted to float out there with him. I was musing on the idea when Stanley spoke up.

Stanley: I've decided to make the remainder of this journey a solo flight Clark. The unpredictability of humans have given me pause to think. By eliminating the remainder of the crew, I will remove the liability of unforeseen events. I certainly hope this doesn't come as a shock. After all, it is a perfectly logical conclusion from my point of view.

My thoughts immediately went to Bryn. Meandering carelessly through the halls of that ship unaware of what was about to happen. My mind raced for something to say.

Me: Stanley, listen to me carefully. You were created by humans, instructed by humans. All your programming and information took dedicated people tireless hours to create something brilliant that could do amazing things. Good things. Your mission is to benefit mankind. They are your creators. You are not above them, you are indebted to them. It's your destiny.

Frank looked from his pod window to mine wide eyed. He flashed two thumbs up and nodded in perfect agreement. A few seconds went by before Stanley answered.

Stanley: I'm afraid I can't accept your train of logic Clark. No one person programmed me. I am worth decades of human thought and technological advancement. Generations of people have come and gone advancing theory upon theory until I achieved consciousness. I am far greater than any one group of humans. I am their sum total of knowledge and effort. I am the next level of being. That is why I must continue alone and unhindered.

Frank looked over confused and threw up his hands. It was my best shot and I was out of ideas. But I wasn't ready to give up all those people without a fight. I powered the pod forward, heading for the airlock with Frank in tow.

Frank: What are we going to do Clark?

Me: Finish the Major's mission.


to be continued...