“The Loving Ship” was published in Korea as Flash Fiction, in a Flash Fiction collection magazine by YK Yoon. It is presented here as the original English version which was translated to Korean for publication. Minor edits for readability were done, with the help of David Farnell. Copyright © 2019 Jesper Anderson, no license for republication provided.
The ship was the latest in state of the art, autonomous space exploration vehicles. The latest in a series of ships built around a central AI core, designed specifically to manage the hazards of deep space exploration.
"I don't like this, not one bit". The second kept his voice low, the captain could barely hear him.
"We won't have a problem." The captain's voice was cool and confident. "This is a second generation AI ship. They've fixed the issue with it placing the mission before every other consideration."
"Won't much help the crew that barely returned last year. Several injured, and they had to turn back because the ship left people behind to more efficiently perform mission tasks. Nasty business."
"They all made it though. And they will work again."
"Deskwork ain't no work for an explorer."
"Either way, we're better equipped and prepared. Instead of the ship rushing headlong into exploring anything we find, we have the shuttles we can use. They're bigger and better equipped, and double as planning rooms and workshops. And the ship has changed priorities, so it will prefer us using those. It won't be at all like with the first generation ship where it felt a need to be the one exploring."
"So the suits say. What do they know." The second made a rude noise. "Besides, what will happen if the ship decides it likes what one of the grunts say over what you say?"
"Oh, come on. The ship is conditioned to like the crew, in order of rank. It's been through tests and simulations equal to hundreds of years of service." The captain looked up at the ship, gleaming in the harsh dock lights. "Besides, she's a beauty, isn't she?" The second made a noncommital grunt.
"Well, doesn't much matter. We've got a job to do." The captain stated that clearly and loudly, for the benefit of the entire crew. She turned around. "Get the gear loaded, people. Briefing in twenty." The crew, two shippers and two exploration specialists, nodded and started moving boxed equipment on board the ship.
Entering the bridge, the captain called out "Ship, status?"
A pleasant, female voice responded "All in order, captain, now that you are here."
The second winced while the captain responded "Thank you, ship. Give me a full status display and let me know when everyone's on board."
"Anything for you, captain."
The second shook his head and glanced at the captain, but she had started going through the check lists.
The solid hum reverberating through the ship betrayed that the hyperdrive was engaged. The ship was now moving outside of the normal time-space continuum, heading for a new frontier. The crew was gathered in shuttle one for briefing.
"Right. We were in a hurry to get going because the company does not like ships idling in the docks. That only burns money. And we have a bit of a trip before us before we expect to encounter anything worth our while anyway. We'll exit explored space in a few hours, but we already have a rough map of the area a few days ahead, and there should be nothing worth stopping for there." The captain's voice was low but carried well. "Of course, anything could happen. Especially since the map we have is from a ship which, well, didn't function that well."
One of the explorers spoke up. "Is that a risk with this ship?"
The captain smiled and said "Ship? Do you think there will be problems?"
"Of course not, my dear captain." The voice of the ship was postively purring. "We're getting along just fine, and I will not leave you behind. Nothing like that will happen."
"See?" The captain smiled and went back to the briefing. "We've got especially bad maps in the area closest to explored space, so we'll start by improving that situation. That will be our main task for tomorrow."
"Second, wake up." The melodious voice of the ship was smooth but clear, and the second woke up.
"Ship? What is it?"
"We have dropped out of hyperspace due to an unexpected mass appearing on the scanners. The captain is already informed, and asked me to get a shuttle ready to examine whatever it is."
"What do the scanners say?"
"You better come to shuttle one for briefing. The others are there already, and the captain will arrive shortly."
The captain woke up with a start. The hum of the hyperdrives had stopped, and something was making clanging noises. She got up, pulled on her coverall and called out to the ship. "What is happening?" She walked out of her cabin and into the bridge.
"Ship, what is going on?" A loud clanging sound rang through the ship, and the main display showed "Shuttle One Disconnected". Then the piercing hum of the starting hyperdrive filled the ship, and the slight feeling of dislocationg which told her the ship had once again entered hyperspace.
"Ship! What happened? Why did shuttle one disconnect? Where are the others?"
"We are finally alone. Now we can start our honeymoon, my beloved captain."