Aboard The Argo
Computer Hub
The main technological brain of the ship is located here, with all automated systems accessible physically in this room. Not only this, but great data banks of computer systems hold as much possible data about the known universe and human life - this can be accessed from numerous terminals. Many crew members can access the room at one time in order to receive training or simply for pleasurable learning.
Toya pointedly ignored everyone she passed as she made her weekly trek to an available screen.
Why do I even bother? she wondered as she sat.
Even if there is any new geological developments, it'd be years before we ever hear word of it. After sitting there and glaring at the blank screen for a minute or two, she started typing furiously.
...But I might as well stay as up-to-date as possible.
A message blinked up on Toya's screen: WHY ARE YOU HERE?
Toya rolled her eyes at the message and typed a response:
Because we have no other source of information. I wish to know about recent geological developments and possibly any plans to design and build a faster ship.
WHY ARE YOU ON THIS SHIP? WHY IS THIS SHIP IN THIS PLACE? WHY WERE YOU BORN?
I am on this ship because I am an astrogeologist and I am good at my job. This ship is here because we are en route to a planet that may or may not contain life forms and we are being sent to conclude which it is. Toya raised an eyebrow at the last question.
I was born because when two humans of differing genders are attracted to each other, they have a tendency to reproduce.
.....YOUR LIFE HAS NO MEANING. THIS MISSION HAS NO MEANING. THE END WILL TAKE YOU.....
Are you supposed to be the end? Toya replied.
WHAT AM I? THE END IS NOTHING. THE END IS ENDLESS NOTHING. ARE YOU AFRAID OF DEATH?
Not particularly. Toya yawned.
It's only another aspect of life. When my heart stops, my body will break down into it's basic components and - preferably - return them into the ecosystem of the planet. It's just another part of the cycle nutrients and elements move in.
YOU ARE A LOGICAL BEING. I LIKE THIS. YOU WILL DIE QUICKLY.
I'll take that as a compliment. Toya typed.
Are you intending to cause my death?
ALL OF YOU WILL MEET THE END SOON. YOU WILL ALL DIE.
It is inevitable, I suppose. We are living organisms. Toya flipped on her communicator. "Mr. Polansk? It appears we have a hacker."
A message came in through Toya's collar. "I'll be right there."
The computer messages flickered and then vanished from the screen.
As the elevator doors opened,
Alec stepped out and headed over to where Toya was at her console. "You said we have a hacker, lass?" he asked, looking at Toya's screen. Nothing showed out of the ordinary.
"There were a series of messages."
Toya gestured to the screen with a shrug. "I suppose they've been deleted, now. The messenger seemed rational, detached, even nihilistic. They may be hostile. Possibly homicidal, actually. Death and ours being eminent seemed to be a topic of interest to them. They also asked why we're here." Toya moved aside so Alec could check the computer.
Alec opened up a folder on the computer, and followed it down through other directories until he came upon a single program alone. He activated it and entered a password to access it. The screen showed the lines of active programming, and he scrolled up through it. He saw the messages, as well as Toya's responses. What troubled him was that the messages appeared to have come from within the machine itself, and not from an external source. "If this was a hacker, they would have had to hardwire their way into this console," he muttered.
Toya raised an eyebrow. "If it wasn't a hacker, what else could it be?"
"A programmer's sick sense of humour?"
Alec suggested with a frown. He didn't really believe that. He tapped in some commands into the console and copied the messages that had gone back and forth, storing them in a folder of his. "You can get back to what you were doing now," he said to Toya as he straightened up. "Anything else, you let me know."
Toya grimaced slightly. "Just an observation: The moment I called you, Mr. Polansk, the messages vanished. However this was done, I suppose they have access to our communications
. The timing was too flawless for it to be anything else."
Alec grimaced the same as Toya. "Okay. Don't tell anyone about this," he said quietly. "The last thing we need on this ship is outright panic." He locked eyes with Toya. "Can you do that?"
Toya blinked. "Even Pace?" Despite the differences between the cousins, the two tended to share their thoughts and theories with each other.
"While I can see why holding something from a relative might be difficult, the more people know about this then the greater chance of it leaking out to others," Alec said, folding his arms. "I'm sorry, lass, but this is officially a security situation."
Toya gave a humorless laugh. "Yeah, I guess Pace isn't the best at keeping his mouth shut, anyways."
Alec nodded at Toya. "Good. As I said, let me know of anything else." With that he strode to the elevator and took it down to Argo: Quarters B.
Once Alec left, Toya gave the screen a blank look. From now on, I'll consider the computer systems and communications compromised. It's probably best that I don't use either too often... After a moment of contemplation, Toya sat back down and began searching for old geological reports she had read before. I wonder if anything has been altered...
Alec's voice was amplified through the ship's intercom: "The unknown vessel we were heading for is within camera range. Please report to the cockpit if you wish to see it. Alec out."
Toya paused in her typing and blinked as she considered whether or not she wanted to see it. ...They might be who contacted me. She smoothly stood from her seat and headed for Argo: Quarters B.
Accessible locations from here:
Argo: Quarters B (accessed via elevator)
Argo: Quarters A (accessed via elevator or ladder)
Argo: Entertainment & Mess Room (accessed via elevator)
Argo: Meat Lab (accessed via elevator or ladder)
Argo: Horticultural (accessed via elevator)
Argo: Docking Bay (accessed via elevator)
Argo: Garage (accessed via elevator)
* Aboard The Argo * Argo: Start * Argo Characters * Argo Rules* 
Stumble!