Chapter 1: Activation

A Bleeping noise made the reader look up from his book; it was time for the log entry.

End of report timed at 19:01 hours Galactic Central Time.“

He checked the entry to ensure that it was correct and then looked around the room, this was his cabin on the freighter barely enough room for a bed and desk, but it was there, ever since the Captain started on his insanity he’d been forced to take over the ship and do double duties, the crew was only 6 people normally, the Captain, his First Officer, 2 Mid-shipmen and 2 Ordinary shipmen - it had been natural to use the old navel names since the late 21st Century.

For security reasons only the Captain and First Officer had navigational training and the computer would only respond to their voices, his now since the Captains problems started, Reilly had used an emergency code to lock him out - only when backed up by the two Mid-shipmen.

Reilly checked the charts and then spoke into the air, “Computer how long until we dock at Callisto V?” He asked

“Time remaining until docking... 5 days, 13 hours, 4 minutes and...” The computer said

“Thank you that’s enough.” Reilly said and then said to himself, “I wonder why the Captain went off his head?”

“Answer not available!” The computer responded.

“Shut up, I wasn’t talking to you!” Reilly said - it was a normal thing that happened, the computer would listen to everything around the ship, it was acting as security officer at all times and was the first to alert Reilly to the Captains delusions.

Reilly checked the time again, 19:05 - there was nothing else to do on the ship except... “Computer when was the last ship check done?” He said.

“Ship check last done 1 day and 2 hours ago, do you require the minutes and seconds?” The computer asked.

“No thank you, I’m satisfied. Okay Computer I’m going to check the ship, please alert me if anything unusual happens.” Reilly said.

“Certainly First Officer, Question? What is unusual?” The computer responded.

“Err; you know anything unexpected, strange or not known.” Reilly said in explanation.

“Amendment noted. Thank you, First Officer Reilly.” The computer said and there was a small click as the speaker cut off.

Reilly shook his head, ever since the last security upgrade the computer had been acting so strangely.

Reilly’s first stop was the Bridge; two people were there swapping jokes between watching the instruments, when he entered both became quiet and saluted.

“Good evening gentlemen, any problems?” He asked knowing from their bored looks what the answer was.

“No sir, all quiet. The fleet’s finished it’s manoeuvres and is returning to Janus II. The scope is clear. We have received mail from home, and I’ve passed it to the computer for the normal checks before it’s delivered.” The Mid-shipman said.

“The only problem is with the food ... sir.” The other man said - it was a normal gripe on board ship.

“Well we have to have that; otherwise how would the company know we’re still alive! It’s got to taste bad so that we complain!” Reilly said with a laugh.

“Yes, sir.” The man said, he’d heard the same remark several times and it still wasn’t funny.

“Very well, carry on!” Reilly said after taking another look around the Bridge.

He left the bridge and started down the ship, past the living quarters, clean and Spartan as always - the mess was just a slot in the wall dispensing the trays of food which was nutritionally balanced for each man. There was the slot for the empty trays to be returned for recycling.

A spaceship is an enclosed environment, it has to be. All the waste was recycled regardless of what it was before, it was better not to think where the water had been! Let alone the food! As long as it was nutritional and edible there was nothing else to worry about.

Reilly checked the toilet, making sure that it was clean and disinfected - An illness aboard ship could be disastrous to all, one ship had a breakout of gastric flu, which killed all the crew within days, all due to dirty nozzles, since then everyone made sure that all surfaces were clean and safe.

Reilly left the room and passed the sleeping quarters; the other two crewmen were asleep until their shift was due to start. Normally there would be three people on duty, but now with the Captain unavailable Reilly had to do his duties as well as his normal duties.

His next stop was the Captain’s quarters, he checked on the indicator. Air normal, Gravity normal, occupier awake and active. Reilly pressed the intercom. “Captain, its Reilly. How are you feeling?” He asked.

“Mr. Reilly? Is it really you? We’re all doomed Mr. Reilly, we’ve transgressed the law! Sending children to those places is against God’s law!” he said, ‘still ranting away’ Reilly thought.

“Do you hear me Mr. Reilly? Have you checked the contents of the hold, read the manifests you’ll see what I mean, it’s a sin against the Lord’s teachings. Didn’t you read your bible?” The Captain said.

“No Sir, I’m agnostic, I know you believe in one god, but I don’t.” Reilly said and closed the connection, watching his captain’s mouth moving as he was screaming out his protests.

“Computer, do you know what the captain is talking about?” He asked the air.

“No, the manifest shows that we have a normal containment of replicants for delivery to Callisto V Port Authority, total of 35 in all, all in hibernation mode!” The computer replied. “Excuse me First Officer? The Captain mentioned the bible, why would such a book be of relevance?” The computer asked.

“What? Oh, he’s a believer in such things, god created the universe and life and should be honoured, that type of thing.” Reilly said distracted.

“Processing ... Information retrieved, working ... working ... Information assimilated, First Officer Reilly, is the captain a threat to the ship?” The computer asked.

Reilly shook his head, “No, as long as he’s kept securely held in his cabin, he can’t do anything to harm the ship.” Reilly said unsure what the computer said.

“First Officer Reilly, the databanks have information on religious zealots who would sabotage spaceships as they think it’s an affront to their god, many ships have been lost to those people.” The computer said.

Reilly walked down the walkway, “That’s different, anyway the company wouldn’t post the captain to this ship if there was a problem like that happening, so don’t worry.” He said.

The computer didn’t reply to him, but a program was started, one which monitored the captain as he ranted and raved.

Reilly stood outside the hold, he’d already been here several times during his shift, checking that everything was stored securely; it would be dangerous if it moved while in taking off or landing.

“Computer open inner cargo bay door please.” Reilly said.

“Please give reason for request?” The computer asked.

“I want to physically check the cargo!” Reilly patently said.

“Such check is not required; I am monitoring the cargo, and all is well.” The computer said.

“Nevertheless, regulations 4.25 states that the crew is responsible for the cargo and should check it on occasions.” Reilly said wondering why the computer was stalling.

“Yes, First Officer, but regulations 4.35 also states that the computer is normally considered adequate to maintain monitoring at all times.” The computer replied.

“I know that computer, but I still want to check for myself.” Reilly said.

“Very well First Officer, inner cargo bay door opening.” The computer said and the door hissed to one side as it opened, there was nothing else it could do as Mr. Reilly was the Acting Captain.

Reilly stepped inside the cargo bay, his breath showing as a white plume, the cargo – being in hibernation – required low temperatures which was easy to maintain in space. He walked through the cargo, which was packed in while enclosed hexagonal containers, some as high as 2 meters, others only about 150 cm tall.

He noticed a handprint on one of the containers, “Computer?” He called out.

“Yes, First Officer?” The computer replied.

“When was the last physical inspection done?” He asked.

The computer didn’t hesitate, “Last inspection was by the Captain three days ago.” It said.

“Just before he became unwell.” Reilly said.

There was a slight hesitation, “Yes First officer.” The computer replied.

“Is there a log of what the captain said or did while down here?” Reilly asked.

“I’m not certain you should view this entry First Officer, there is a company restriction on it.” The computer said.

This brought Reilly’s head around to the camera floating near him, “Computer that is only in use in severe cases, such as piracy or sabotage. Did the captain do something like that?” He asked.

“First officer, I am unable to expand on what I have said.” The computer replied.

Reilly thought for a moment, “Alright Computer, let me ask you a question. If the captain opened one of these boxes, would that be thought of as sabotage?” He asked.

“Negative, such would be regarded as normal inspection of goods.” The computer said.

“So, he would be able to open this box ... computer, please open Unit ... umm 254!” Reilly said checking the code on the container.

There were a few seconds before the red light on top of the small container turned to green and the front raised to show the contents. Reilly sucked in a cold breath, there inside, was a naked female form.

It looked like a young girl, large black straps going across the chest in an X-shape which showed off the two aureoles on her flat chest and leaving her lower body clear to the view.

“Computer, give me a read out on this item.” Reilly said.

“Unit 254 - Female form 25 immature format, apparent age 9 Earth years old. Trained in sexual practise and innocence. Unit name Molly, current state - damaged goods to be returned to Replicants Ltd. for disposal.”

“Disposal?” Reilly said looking at the body before him.

“Affirmative, unit is reduced to component atoms and recycled; this is done after ascertaining what damage has been done to item and details taken from unit’s memory. This will then be charged against the captain at a later date.” The computer said