The Final Six (The Final Six #1) - Alexandra Monir Page 0,21
hair and a lopsided grin, who introduces himself as Callum Turner from Australia, and the girl with the nose ring and lilting accent, Ana Martinez from Spain.
“Nice to meet you,” I whisper to the two of them before Dr. Takumi steps up to the podium, harnessing everyone’s attention with his direct gaze.
“Finalists, welcome to your new home and training grounds. Joining me onstage are the ISTC faculty, made up of the top minds in aerospace and science, who will be preparing you for the mission ahead,” he announces. “We’ll begin by dividing you into four teams of six. Each team will be overseen by one of our faculty: experienced, retired astronauts known as team leaders, who will serve as your chaperone and guide throughout this process. Meanwhile, your teammates are the finalists you’ll be training and spending most of your time with here—and you will be evaluated on how well you work together and get along. We’ve put careful thought and consideration into each team, to encourage a spirit of both competition and cooperation.”
It’s like the first day of school, but with fatal consequences. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, wondering which of these strangers I’ll be stuck with.
As Dr. Takumi launches into staff introductions, my uneasiness gives way to interest. These are no ordinary teachers—they are a mix of scientists, engineers, and former astronauts from around the world, combined with sergeants and lieutenants from the United States Army. Looking at the faculty in front of us, it’s clear that we’re in for the space-travel equivalent of boot camp.
“Of course I saved the best for last,” he continues, looking down the line of his staff with a secretive smile. “Not long ago, the world watched as we sent two humanoid robots on a flyby probe of Europa, to gather data and confirm the habitability of Jupiter’s moon. The success of that first mission is the reason you are all sitting here today.” Dr. Takumi pauses for effect. “Since the robots have already proven themselves indispensable and have a firsthand knowledge of Europa . . . they will be accompanying the Final Six on the mission.”
My mouth falls open.
“No. Way,” I whisper to Ana beside me as the room buzzes with excited murmurs. We all know which robots he’s talking about—we followed their progress religiously, the same way our parents geeked out over the Mars Curiosity rover before us—and the thought of traveling through space with them is like a fantasy beyond anything my childhood self could have dreamed up.
“Without further ado, I’m proud to introduce you to the most advanced artificial intelligence currently in existence: Cyb and Dot!”
The curtain drops to reveal two majestic machines. They are the size and shape of humans, with terrestrial legs and dexterous fingers, but their bodies are encased in shells of machinery, like powered suits of armor. Dot’s body is bronze and Cyb’s is platinum, denoting their difference in status, while their faces are masks of metal, with a pair of round blue camera lenses for eyes. Sliding plates on each of their torsos reveal a digital tablet—the wand that activates the magic of AIOS, the Artificial Intelligence Operating System. I’m practically salivating at the sight of it. And as the robots march to the front of the stage, I can’t help rising to my feet, leading the room in a spontaneous standing ovation.
I know all the work that went into creating such exceptional AIs—the complex algorithms and encoders that gave Dot and Cyb their brains, the hundreds of sensors and dozens of PowerPC processors that make up their guts—and I feel a twinge of longing. To get to learn from these robots and one day develop artificial intelligence of my own . . . that’s a dream that gets my blood flowing.
I just don’t want to have to leave the planet in order to achieve it.
The robots turn to give Dr. Takumi and General Sokolov a formal salute, and the general crosses the stage to join them.
“Cyb has been programmed to autopilot the spacecraft to Europa, and will therefore serve as my proxy commander,” she reveals. “Dot will provide backup support. Because of their importance on this mission, and their ability to form unbiased opinions based on logic, the robots will join Dr. Takumi and myself in deciding the first eliminations. Which brings us to our next piece of news.” She glances at Dr. Takumi, and he nods for her to continue.
“Right now, the abandoned Athena supply ship is still orbiting Mars and