Good Listener

Posted on 28 Jun 2015 @ 2:51am by Jynn

633 words; about a 3 minute read

"Computer, begin log," Jynn spoke as he stared out the already familiar viewport. He thought for a moment as the stars just kept going and going by. Everything was so overwhelming. This wasn't a bad thing to Jynn, but it was overwhelming nonetheless.

"Well, it's been a... Wait. Computer? Do you have a name?"

"I do not. 'Computer' is how I am addressed."

"I don't like it, Computer. Not at all. Are you not the brain of this most wondrous vessel. The vessel I have the most wonderful pleasure of dancing with through the stars. If you are the brain then I may call you 'Galileo' much in the same way that people do not refer to me as 'Brain.'" He couldn't help but laugh a bit at that thought. Wouldn't everyone, save for those select few species with other thought-networks, be called 'Brain?'

"I have been programmed to be addressed as Comp-"

"Can I call you Galileo? Pleeeease?" Jynn sounded sincere in his question.

"My database can be updated to include additional forms of address."

"Well make it so, Galileo!"

"Completed."

"Thank you, Galileo. Right. Now, where was I?" There was a silence for a few seconds as though deep in thought. "Personal log! And my first one here. So as I was saying, it's been a rather overwhelming and fun-filled few days. Well, mostly fun. I've met so many people and done so many things that I think I might need your processing power just to help me figure it all out and file it all away! What should I feel right now?"

"Perhaps you should consult the ship's counselor."

"There's nothing wrong with m... Oh... No, Comp... Galileo. I think I'll be fine. I should feel overwhelmed, and I do, and that's fine! I'd love to list all the people I've met so far, but you and I both know them.

"They're all such amazing people... And their hair! So many styles. I just want to touch them all. How awkward would that be? I mean, it'd just be for a moment. Or more. Tuula's hair was rather nice. Maybe Mott? Who is Mott anyway? Does he even have hair? I'll have to meet him next! I feel like I should know him already. Do I?"

Silence. Two solid minutes of silence...

"The oath. Many species have uttered it before, but I've never heard a Deltan say that oaths were for breaking. Not one. What have I done? Will she be fine? Will I be fine? I've never been able to control myself, but I can't go back. It'd be a prison, though they would never call it such or portray it to be one. Chained to a ball in the cosmos where no one would even acknowledge me. Maybe no one will find out... Maybe there's an alternative?"

He shook his head. He didn't want to think of alternatives. They were all too scary. He'd just have to address it if and when the time came. "Control, Galileo. If only I could be programmed with restraint. But it's just not that easy. If you knew love you'd know."

Thirty seconds of silence, as though there were conflicting inner dialogs trying to resolve how he should feel...

"No worries, Galileo! I'm sure all will be well. And in the mean time, I will continue my quest to meet everyone aboard and experience all that they have to offer. I have quite the to-do list.

"Oh, and we've been sucked through some sort of portal! A beautiful yet dangerous portal. The humans would call it a 'siren.' I'm not sure what we'd call it. 'Fun?' How weird is that? Though I'm sure you've already heard about that..."

Silence.

"... You're a good listener, Galileo... End log."

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