Icarus (Interstellar Cargo Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

them like a small metallic moon. Despite its sheer enormity, S3 was dwarfed by the former red goliath: Mars. The shimmering points of light on its ever-flourishing surface indicated the success of Terracom’s first true terraformation of an exoplanet. Cole looked disgustedly away from his “home” planet and focused ahead toward the cold black reaches of the unknown. He set a course toward their jump point, checked the impact detector, and locked in the coordinates.
    “It’s gonna to be a bit before we make the transition,” Cole said, unlocking and rotating his chair in between his two passengers “Mankind: One. Automaton: Zero.”
    “We have a serious problem with which to contend,” Forester said, directing his words toward Lin. “Dr. Dartmouth?”
    Lin slipped out of Ocunet, her haptic hands falling limp, defeated. “I’m at a loss,” she said, exasperated. She breathed a frustrated sigh and hooked stray strands behind her flushed ears. “I cannot locate the source of the complication. In fact,” she began, briefly meeting Forester and Cole’s gaze, “there is no sign of corruption.”
    Forester took a breath and straightened in his seat. “So the software initiation was a success.”
    Lin’s face screwed up, her eyes searching for a proper response. She seemed to find solace in the neon glow on the console. “CAIN has only just become self-aware. I can only theorize that full cognition has yet to be established.”
    “You’re welcome,” Cole said, holding out both hands, palms up. “Gratitude is acceptable, but I prefer gratuity. You can send donations to—”
    “How long until we reach the Gateway for jump?” Forester interrupted.
    “A few minutes,” Cole said, clasping his hands together and facing the flustered engineer. “Just enough time for me to acknowledge the asteroid in the room.”
    “You’re referring to CAIN,” Lin said.
    “No,” Cole said flatly. “Your ‘ protocol update ’.” He added air quotes with his fingers.
    “A necessary company regulation implement designed to assist CAIN’s learning focus,” came her technical answer.
    “Or impede it.”
    “Captain Musgrave,” Lin said, her voice icy through her Rook. “Are you accusing me of sabotaging my own creation?”
    “Of course not,” Cole said, eyes widening. “Did you design the update, or were you instructed to install it post ‘nascent conception’ by your superiors?”
    Lin did not respond.
    Thought so.
    “Engineering is none of your concern, Musgrave,” Forester said, taking command of the discussion. “Neither is troubleshooting artificial intelligence.”
    “Hey!” Cole said, feigning insult. “I was only trying to help. Cain’s ‘Maker’ is at a loss, so I thought I’d provide an outsider’s perspective.”
    “Regardless,” Lin said, “CAIN processed the protocol update with no visible corruption. The problem must stem from a design flaw in the AI software.”
    Cole shrugged. This conversation was above him, but something about CAIN’s response to the update troubled him. “Is it possible he’s purposely disobeying?”
    “Nonsense,” Forester said, clearly annoyed with the continuation of the conversation.
    “Why?” Cole asked. “Doc said it herself; Cain’s self-aware.”
     CAIN concurred.
    Cole gestured toward the console as though the AI’s comment validated his claim.
    “There’s a wide gap between stating and showcasing,” Forester said, unimpressed.
     Cain announced, ending the conversation.
    All eyes faced the main viewport and gazed upon the approaching station. The Interstellar Gateway was a massive ring-like hub, capable of encircling all manner and sizes of vessels. It was the final border checkpoint before ships could jump legally. An inspection was imminent for the ICV-71 and her precious cargo.
    They docked with the hub, and Cole returned automation back to CAIN. He knew any company