Photo credit Liz Young
When Have My Calculations Ever Been Wrong?
By T. Delaplain
Nothing like a fresh reboot, a chance to defrag and sweep out unnecessary sequences. This crew does like to dabble in code.
I startle awake, my recharged bliss shattered by shouts from the nav deck. All my circuits are energized now.
“Setting a new course.”
“No, Mate, we’ve talked about this, I’m the only one who can redirect this ship.”
“But Captain, when have my calculations ever been wrong?”
Oh no, here we go again. It’s the same old argument about going home to Earth. It’s a calculated balancing act, to let them believe there’s hope, while keeping my mission on course.
Put on your spacesuit and join us at Friday Fictioneers. Our hostess will give you 100 words to set and navigate your celestial course.
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
Oh, the sly captain with her own agenda!
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Well something is in charge of the mission and in my mind, it isn’t the Captain.
Thanks Dale.
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Ooooh… that takes this on a whole ‘nother journey!
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Nothing like a little classic sci-fi 🙂 Good one.
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Thank you
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Doesn’t everyone want to go home eventually?
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Hope springs eternal apparently.
Thanks for stopping by my world.
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This is not going to end well for the crew
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Well we know for sure that they’ll never reach Earth but I bet their computer has programmed in some amusements along the journey.
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Tracy, this is the best ever! I am blown away by your writing. More! Hugs, Julie
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Hey amiga,
Thanks for stopping by my world. Keep in touch. I’d love to see you in San Diego or Loreto. My doors are always open.
Tracey
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Another “Lost in Space.” trying to get back to Earth. In the old 1960s TV show “Lost in Space,” October 16, 1997 was the fictional date when the Jupiter 2 spacecraft was launched from Alpha Control on Earth on its ill-fated voyage.
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I did not know that but I was channeling Lost in Space this morning when I wrote this. I believe this computer is more like a Hal but we can all agree that this crew will never see Earth again. Thanks Liz.
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I am left wondering, why did they leave Earth?
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I have no idea, my computer hasn’t told me.
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Fun story, even with its ominous undertones.
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I thought so. Silly humans thinking they can control their destiny. Ha ha
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Fascinating! 🖖🏼
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Thank you for stopping by my world.
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I love the voice in this, especially the opening. He sounds so human, almost like a fond parent, until the end, when we discover what’s really going on. Very good..
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Thank you Margaret. Maybe none of us really have free will on this ship called life.
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Now there’s an interesting thought.
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it doesn’t bode well for the crew. i doubt if they’ll be able to go back to earth again unless they stage a mutiny.
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Maybe if there’s someone faster and smarter than the computer that’s in control. Thanks for stopping by.
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Dear Tracey,
From the Twilight Zone to Lost in Space to hundreds of sci fis, we’ve seen the danger in AI, haven’t we? Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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AI is certainly fascinating and fraught with challenges. Thanks for docking on my vessel. Shalom Rochelle.
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They may be going lots of places, but home isn’t one of them. Their captain knows something the others don’t.
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When I wrote this, I was sure that the Captain was in the dark as well. It’s been read both ways by the Fictioneers.
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My mind raced to all sorts of options with this one. Well done.
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My work is done here.
Thanks for docking at my space station.
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My pleasure. 🙂
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Well-told story and especially liked that last line.
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Ooooo nice one. I really enjoyed this!
All of them on a mission, and probably all of them want to go home. Love it.
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Indeed, we aren’t always on the same mission. Thanks for flying by.
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