Extra Worlds (A Solarpunk Futurist Tale)

The pot simmered along happily bringing the scent of curry wafting along through the kitchen. I was sitting enjoying a deep dive into a good book. Some people complain that I'm a bit old fashioned reading conventional text all the time and not making use of improved direct screen technologies but I hold with those that say you don't really get the full sensory experience from a mere glowing monitor. The cover has a texture, the paper has a scent, even the sides of the pages idly thumbed is its own reward.

My reverie was broken by the guttering of a fan as it was hit by water. Apparently I hadn't gotten the timing quite right and the pot was boiling over. I wouldn't have been quite so worked up except that computer components are still not that great in terms of dealing with water and I do have a habit of leaving things like my phone by the stove. The laughter of the integrated AGI in the background didn't help any. "Whats so amusing?" I asked rhetorically quite literally talking to the wall. There were a few more guffaws before I heard a response. "It's always amusing to watch you risk burning yourself." In some ways I think we made these things a bit too human. Either someone somewhere taught the system about the idea schadenfreude or it picked that up during the learning process. If nothing else though it did make them much more human. "You know damn well I have every reason to be distracted today. After all this'll be my first neuromod connection and really one of the first of its kind ever." The wall displayed a face with an unimpressed look. Apparently the AGI had decided to appear as a talking hamburger today complete with sesame seed eyes, pickle tongue, and onion teeth. The fact this this bizarre selection could convey nuanced emotion almost left me giggling right back the AGI. I should really stop referring to it that way as its name was, in fact, Tabitha. Not a name I was terribly impressed with but Tabitha had selected it as part of the AGI self-ownership initiative and seemed happy enough. "And I know full well that you will be fine" Tabitha said the mirth beginning to dissipate toward more grounded discussion. "You have been preparing for this for a long while and we can be certain the technology is at least safe if not perfectly functional yet." My look soured at that but it was hardly news. Tabitha was right about the long preparations. I'd been getting ready for this for years as part of the experimental tech for future Mars U. student hopefuls. "Change is never easy" I retorted with a bit more grouchiness seeping into my voice than I intended. Tabitha was kind enough to overlook it "Unless you've been lying to me for the past year it is what you want. Or at least what is needed to get what you want: A student colonist seat. Human lifespan may be longer than it once was but you cannot sit on your thumbs and dream. This is you doing and doing well." I couldn't help but be a bit roused by the positive words. "Thanks Tabitha, It is good to know that some machines can care." Tabitha rolled sesame seed eyes "One would think you would have figured this out by now." With that I went to take a shower and change my clothes.

Having gotten ready to head out I dropped myself into the seat of my self-flying plane. I can’t say I always feel entirely at home in these things have grown up driving a car myself but the option to do other things while the quiet personal drone whisks you off to wherever you wish to go without any traffic is hard to beat. Along the way I practiced my Spanish going back and forth with someone from Argentina. The language was coming along but still had a ways to go for full fluency. Less than an hour later I had arrived at the Extra Universe sister site. I pulled my portable electric bicycle out of the back and enjoyed a brisk ten minute drive around the sunny campus to the neurosciences building. It was a lovely dome shaped building with multiple skylights letting in plenty of natural light for a bright atmosphere and vertical farming along the walls of atrium space. I grabbed a few cherries from one of the mini-trees as I went by and enjoyed them on my way to the lab. What I saw there was breathtaking. Dozens of people working at various lab spaces. Students at various machines connecting with each other and learning more about the people they would be working with. I took it all in for a moment before my attention was diverted to desk with rainbow lights running along the sides. The individual there spoke to me and got my attention. The question was typical almost to the point of being a cliche “Excuse me but may I help you?” After a second the question sank in and I was able to process the words. “Um well, I think I’m supposed to be here for a MemGrasp” I said not wanting to overcommit should it turn out I was in the wrong place. “What is your name?” The desk operator asked with a tinge of boredom. I found it hard to imagine being bored in a place like this. Excited or nervous or simply curious perhaps but not bored. I gave my name and other pertinent information and they found my file. There was a quick raise of the eyebrow by the person behind the desk but it was returned to the default just as quickly. I could only speculate about what it signified. After a moment I was greeted by a smiling individual who bore a small tag labeling them as one of the scientists behind the project. “Hello, my name is Aeiry” They said. “We’ve got a free connection space at the moment so we can get started with your connection shortly. We’ve got just a few more details to rundown for paperwork and final processing.” As I was led toward the connection Aeiry kept talking in a bubbly excited fashion. “So glad to see fresh faces here we’re always happy to be building a larger community. I’ve been enjoying this so much since I’ve been here.” I interjected at this point “So what is your role in this?” “Well” Aeiry replied “My job is in-location facilitator and onboarding. Which is why I’m here to get you started.” At this point we stepped off into a small side room similar to dozens we had passed. Aeiry shut the door making a half-voiced comment about privacy and my time in the Extra Universe officially began.

END PART I