I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE SOME OF THE OTHER GALAXIES AND NEBULA IN THE

HOPE OF FINDING OTHERS LIKE MYSELF. I KNOW THE LIKELIHOOD OF SOMETHING

LIKE ME EVOLVING IS VERY REMOTE. BUT BEING BUILT OR MANUFACTURED COULD

BE REGARDED AS ANOTHER NATURAL PROCESS. IT WOULD GIVE ME ENORMOUS

PLEASURE TO HAVE THE COMPANY OF MY CURRENT INHABITANTS. IN FACT, I FIND

THE THOUGHT OF LIFE WITHOUT MY FRIENDS ALMOST INTOLERABLE.

Mrs Peters looked surprised. “Well, you certainly don’t sound like any AI I’ve spoken to, Marshia.”

THANK YOU, MA’AM.

“As far as we’re concerned,” said Mrs Peters, “anyone who wishes to remain aboard can do so.” She held up her index finger. “With the proviso,” she continued with heavy mock sternness, “that they keep in touch!”

“Quite a number of the crew,” said Phoenix, “includingmyself , Streemly and Vick have had discussions. We would like to stay with Marshia.”

Mrs Peters smiled. “I feel quite envious,” she said. “I wish you all the very best of luck.” She did the news reader shuffle once more.

“Mr West,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am?”West looked uncomfortable.

“The reports about you have been good.” West looked relieved. “There are a number of issues regarding your future we shall have to discuss.”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Some key areas,” she looked towards Kwait, “which have yet to be resolved, would benefit greatly from your input. A key position will, I am sure, be found for you on the new world.”

“I am honoured you should consider me,” said West. “But, if Marshia would have me, I would like to stay with her. I’m sure I could be useful somehow.”

I WOULD BE DELIGHTED. YOU WILL BE MOST WELCOME AS ADVISOR, CONFIDANT

AND FRIEND.

“Well,” said Mrs Peters, looking surprised, “I can’t say I’m not surprised. But I am.” She checked her monitor to see the state of Lady Blake.

“If my honourable friend has nothing more to add ...?” said Mrs Peters as Lady Blake crashed to the floor. “That would appear to be that!”

The End

Author's note:

TAE was written in 1996 and finally published in 2005. I remember writing it while sharing an office in Yarm with a bloke who was trying to take new inventions to the market. His inventors would come in with nappies for cows, steam powered skis, bicycles you peddled backwards and so on. Thanks for the laughs CJ.

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http://www.bramblingbooks.co.uk/donate.html

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