Cataclysm

“Phase Seven for NASA’s Mars Mission was successful,” The newsman stated. “The research station has been officially assembled, completing Base Alpha. In just two weeks, ten astronauts from all over the world will embark on an eight month journey to the red planet and set foot where no human has set foot before! Joining us momentarily via hologram will be our pilot and co-pilot, Ru Yin Li from China and Latoya Vonai from Zimbabwe.”

The familiar chime of a hologram upload made me look up from my tablet. There they were, two of my flight mates; two of the people I would be living with for the foreseeable future.

“And here they are, good evening to you both.”

“Thank you.” Li replied.

“Yes it’s great to be here.” Vonai said through a thick accent.

“So tell me Mr. Li,” the newsman continued, “As the pilot of this mission, what is going through your head right now? How are you feeling about Phase Eight?”

“I'm very excited. I feel very fortunate to have been selected for this mission and I’m very pleased with the results of Phase Seven. Phase Eight is going to be difficult, we are going to accomplish something that has never been done before, but that’s why the crew members have been selected very carefully. NASA wanted the best of the best working on this mission.”

“They certainly did. Speaking of, Miss Vonai you were chosen to replace an AI that was going to co-pilot the spacecraft. Can you explain why NASA made that decision?”

“That is a good question. NASA has used AI to pilot each spacecraft for the first seven phases, why send two humans instead of two AIs or one human and one AI? Well, we really don’t know what to expect out there. Say we come across an unexpected obstacle or complication. There is no better solution for unknown variables than human intuition, especially for a pilot. We have AI assistants that can make micro-adjustments that we can’t do manually, but you need a human to make big moral decisions.”

“When you say moral decisions, what do you mean? What kind of moral decisions do you think you’ll encounter in outer space?”

Vonai doesn’t hesitate to speak the hard truth, “Outer space is uncharted, hostile territory. We have no idea what we might come across. Say we get into a situation where we have to reroute and lengthen the trip or risk the crew’s safety. Our AI are programmed to get to the destination in an efficient manner; it wouldn’t know that the crew is at risk, or it at least wouldn’t take that into consideration.”

I shut off the television before the conversation could continue. I’m already nervous to leave. I’m excited for the mission’s progression, but not necessarily to be a part of it. I shook my head, trying to focus back on my tablet, which displayed the mission handbook. I clicked on the AI section where it introduced who would be waiting for us at the base. Three names were listed along with photos of them performing their basic functions.

The first one was a human sized AI with multi-functioning “hands.” It had drill attachments, lasers, soulderers, wire cutters, and all sorts of small precision tools. The picture features the AI drilling into the ice by the crater we’re landing at.

Tester: Our scouting and testing AI that continually sends us data from Mars. Tester was our phase zero launch as part of our location selection. After being joined by the other two AI, Tester has been responsible for installing communications and IT.

The second was a large block-shaped mechanism with multiple crane-like arms. It looked almost like a giant spider on terra wheels. Its arms and hands had construction attachments like drills, sealants, and binders. In the picture it was supporting two metal walls and securing them all at the same time with its many ligaments.

Jengo: This veteran AI has attended since phase one. Jengo has been responsible for deconstructing each spacecraft and reconstructing them into Base Alpha. He is the reason we are now on Phase Eight.

The last one was a petite humanoid AI with electromagnetic hover boosters instead of legs so it was floating off the ground. It was featured installing a space-worthy microwave.

Delara: Introduced in phase two, Delara has been your personal decorator. She has been in charge of filling the inside of Base Alpha with beds, food, research supplies, uniforms, medical supplies, etc.

I thought it was interesting that they chose to use “he” and “she” to describe the AI since they’re essentially genderless. I clicked on the crew mate section. There I could see the faces of each of the astronauts I would be flying with. I skimmed the list until I landed on my own name.

Amelia Darnello: Lead Engineer, USA

As I skimmed through I could see that NASA really went out of their way to find the most accomplished of individuals. I recognized a few names because they’ve been mentioned in the news. Underneath my name was my apprentice’s, whose name I recognized as the kid who built a nuclear rocket in his garage.

Zane Pierce: Apprentice Engineer, USA

I felt honored to have an apprentice, especially one who seemed to be a fan. I am the one who invented nuclear rockets after all. My invention is the reason we’re able to get to Mars in eight months instead of ten or eleven. They’re also the reason NASA was able to divide the mission into so many phases. Nuclear rockets use hydrogen as fuel, which is arguably more affordable and abundant than our other resources. I clicked on the “Base Alpha Tour” link. A first person walkthrough of my eventual home began. I could hear the hum of hover boosters, so I assumed the video was being taken by Delara, which was later confirmed when she passed by a mirror in one of the dorms. The base was larger than I thought it would be. We each had our own dorm branching off the main area of the base. The center of the base contained the kitchen, dining room, fitness center, and even a recreation room. Toward the front of the base was a tunnel that lead to an airlock. On the other side of the airlock, Jengo was assembling what I would assume was our research center. Toward the back of the base was the communications center. Tester was sending an update to NASA when an alarm sounded. As if it was routine, Tester flipped some switches and buttons enabling the “lockdown sequence.” I could see the weather radar blinking “ DUST STORM: LEVEL 7.7” as Delara turned to leave the room. The video ended and my stomach twisted around as I thought of being there while something like that happened. I tried my best to keep my mind off it and went to my room to go to sleep. In the morning I would be flying to Washington DC to meet my crew mates.