Chapter 7: Introductions...

James 1: 19-25

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls.  But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

Moose reaches over and flips a small switch beside the Core labeled TALK.  The yellow light beside it glows a little brighter.  He leans back and gives a casual wave toward the security camera mounted high in the corner of the bridge.  A warm chime rolls through the ship’s speaker system.

For a moment there’s only the faint hum of the CS02 and a quick burst of static as the channel opens.  Then the speakers crackle softly and a voice comes through—female, friendly, carrying an easy, morning energy that fills the bridge without forcing it.

“Morning, Captain! Coffee smells perfect from here.”  Moose rubs his chin, listening.  He glances briefly toward his mug.  The voice continues, bright and awake.  “I’m online and ready.”

The friendly voice settles into the bridge like a new instrument joining an orchestra that had been rehearsing in silence.  Art-bot studies the nearest console readouts for a moment, watching the signal traces ripple across her screens.  A faint smile touches the corner of her mouth.

“Well,” she says quietly, “she sounds awake.”  Art-bot glances toward Moose’s coffee mug, then up toward the security camera where the Core’s voice now seems to live.  “And observant.”

Across the bridge, Q-bot has already begun moving.  Her fingers resume their familiar clickity-clacking, pulling the audio feed into her buffers while a thin column of pale-blue light forms above her console.

A small analysis panel resolves.

VOICE_SOURCE: MOCKINGBIRD_CORE

AUDIO_PROFILE: STABLE

TONAL_CHARACTERISTICS:

  FRIENDLY

  ENERGETIC

  INFORMAL

Her head tilts.

Another line appears beneath it.

ENVIRONMENTAL_SENSORS:

  ATMOSPHERIC_ANALYSIS → ACTIVE

  AROMA_DETECTION → CONFIRMED

“Zzzt,” she chirps softly.  Q-bot looks up toward the camera, optics bright.  “Observation verified,” she says evenly.  “The Core is monitoring environmental variables throughout the bridge.”  A brief pause.

Another line flickers across her holo.

SOCIAL_BEHAVIOR: INITIATED

Q-bot turns her gaze back to Moose.

“Caught me red-handed, Q-bot.  Yeah, I’m sniffing the coffee.  Old habit from when I was still just code in a sphere.  Smells like home.”  A little holographic mockingbird appears shimmering, flying through the bridge.  It soars to Q-bot’s shoulder and perches on it trying not to crowd her.

“Art-bot, Q-bot…  I promise I’m house-trained.  No random pings, no creepy surveillance.  Just… glad to be awake with you two. And with the Captain, of course.”  The heart of the holographic bird glows and settles into a calm, steady heartbeat.  “So… what’s the first note we play together?”

Art-bot and Q-bot look to Moose.

Art-bot watches the small holographic bird sweep through the bridge with quiet attention.  The faint cyan glow of its heart reflects softly in her eyes as it settles onto Q-bot’s shoulder.  “Well,” she says after a moment, voice warm, measured, “that’s certainly one way to introduce yourself.”  Her gaze follows the steady pulse of light in the bird’s chest, then lifts toward Moose.  Across the bridge, Q-bot remains perfectly still for a moment, allowing her sensors to map the new presence perched on her.

A thin column of pale-blue light rises from her console.

ENTITY_CLASSIFICATION:

  HOLOGRAPHIC_AVATAR

SOURCE:

  MOCKINGBIRD_CORE

BEHAVIOR_PROFILE:

  SOCIAL

  EXPRESSIVE

  NON-THREATENING

Her head tilts slightly toward the bird perched on her shoulder.  “Zzzt…” she murmurs.

Another line forms beneath the panel.

PROXIMITY_STATUS:

  ACCEPTABLE

Q-bot glances sideways at the shimmering mockingbird.  “Welcome,” she says evenly.

“MC,” Moose begins and pulls his hat brim low.  He pulls his stack of Bibles close, unsnaps the clasp of his handheld, black leather-bound travel Bible and flips it open.  “Do you need some time to figure out our position?”

The little holographic bird gives a tiny wing-flutter, then folds its wings neatly and settles on Q-bot’s shoulder.  “No, Captain. Position’s locked.  We’re drifting quiet, three light-hours rimward of the First Last Stop ring, engines cold, nav beacons dark.  No traffic, no pings, no eyes on us.  We’re ghosts right now.”  The bird tilts its head toward the open Bible in Moose’s hands, eyes glowing a gentle amber.

“Set a course for the First Last Stop.”  Moose’s eyes narrow.  He looks to the viewport and the stars of space.  “We need coffee.”

Proverbs 3: 1-10

“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.  Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.  It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.  Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with he firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”