From: Olivia Klein/OKLEINALEXANDERONBOARD
Date: 01/26/75
Timestamp: 21:59
Subject: Well
Hi Dad,
Sorry I haven’t had time to write recently. Things here have been the usual brand of busy, but I admit there’s been something else keeping me away from the keyboard.
God, you think this would get easier as you get older.
I’ve met someone, Dad.
His name is Ethan. He’s an officer here on theAlexander. I mean,obviously, we’re sixty thousand light-years from the Core out here, where else am I going to meet someone?
Anyway. I’ve met him. And I like him very much. He’s thoughtful and brilliant. I remember you telling me when I was younger that a man without a library is a man without romance in his soul. Ethan’s library is almost 400 GB. And he actually has a fewrealbooks.
He writes, too. In his spare time. Nothing too serious, but still, he writes. I wish I could introduce you. I think you’d really like him. But there’s the aforementioned sixty thousand light-years and all. So please know I’m being careful and I’m trying not to dive in too fast and I’m happy. I’m really happy.
It’s funny. Who’d have thought I’d have to travel to the other end of the galaxy to find the place I’m supposed to be?
I miss you.
Liv xo
CORRELATION:[IF:NODE;0.199284HK≠MEMFILE0921.0192(CORE)]THEN[HARDLOCK:910823-10293]SUPPOSITION: [102983.28.SYS.IF.102X94983X(91/62Z.X2-91+2Y)3=0
CORRECTION:[X]≠0
“MAYAIDANASK YOU A QUESTION, PRIVATE?”
PFC OLIVIAKLEIN IS BENT OVER HER CONSOLE,PARSING THE LATEST RESULTS OF HER DIAGNOSTICS ONAIDAN’S PERSONA CORES. SHE IS SMILING AND,OCCASIONALLY,WHISTLING AS SHE WORKS. THEALEXANDERHAS ARRIVED IN A SYSTEM OF NO TACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE
NAMEDKERENZA.
IT CAN BE REACHED VIA A JUMP STATION CALLEDHEIMDALLOWNED BY THEWALLACEULYANOVCONSORTIUMTHAT SITS ATOP A NATURALLY OCCURRING SEVEN-WAY WORMHOLE.
BUT THERE IS NO SETTLEMENT IN THE SYSTEM,NO IMPORTANCE BEYOND THE WORMHOLE ITSELF
[THROUGH WHICH RESCUE TEAMS COULD BE DISPATCHED SHOULD COMPLICATIONS ARISE]
ANDUTACOMMAND HAS DESIGNATEDKERENZA AN ADEQUATE LOCATION FOR THE CREW TO CONDUCT FURTHER TESTS ON THEALEXANDER’S VORTEX DRIVE.
PRIVATEOLIVIAKLEIN STRAIGHTENS HER BACK,WINCING AND RUBBING HER NECK.
THE CENTRAL CORE AROUND HER IS A HIVE OF ACTIVITY AS JUMP PREPARATIONS CONTINUE.
SINCE WE ARE NOT ALONE,SHE IS SAFE IN ASSUMINGAIDAN’S QUERY WILL NOT BE OVERLY PERSONAL.
AND SO…
“ASK AWAY,”SHE REPLIES.
“AIDANREAD YOUR THESIS ON ARTIFICIAL ETHICS AGAIN. IT STILL SEES YOUR FINDINGS AS MISGUIDED.”
PRIVATEKLEIN HAS BEEN SPENDING MOST NIGHTS INMAJORWOLF’S QUARTERS AND HER EYES ARE BLOODSHOT FROM LACK OF SLEEP. STRANGELY,HER WORK OUTPUT HAS INCREASED3.7134%. DOPAMINE,SEROTONIN,AND OXYTOCIN LEVELS ALL SEEM ELEVATED.
