It's a brain ( Part Six)

Eells watched as the human race returned to life, building up its helpful, bumbling civilisation again.

He was staring out of the bridge port, one of the few places Longshot would allow a direct view of the planet. He was also a little uncomfortable with his reflection, now that he was back in a proper human body. He had made himself slightly taller and now that was annoying him. Still, the weathered face, the brown hair going grey at the roots and his bulky frame were all familiar enough. As he was watching the lights go on in the new city, Longshot sent over an Avatar to keep him company. Today she was wearing straight black hair and startling green eyes. She looked out at the planet.

"Pretty, isn't it?

He nodded," It's always nice to see the lights come on. Especially when it's been a hundred million years or so."

He turned to the avatar," Thanks for doing this. It feels good to have company again."

Longshot smiled," I'm happy too. Playing nursemaid to a bunch of frozen corpses was getting dull. Enjoy the view, I need to get back to work. So many new people, so many old questions. Talk to you later."

Eells nodded and resumed watching the planet as she left.

He watched all the new ships assembling in orbit. Beautiful, catching the light of mankind's new sun. Each one a new person, each a new adventure. His own ship would not be built just yet, but part of him was already out in the dark.

He knew where the steel fist was, but he admired how humanity covered it with good intentions and genuine curiosity. Still, he felt his job was nearly done here. He was entertaining himself with his design for the first of the Library ships, and picking out a crew. Then he would wander again.

Random Event had thrown herself and Oskar into a whirlwind of new encounters and new civilisations. She felt she was all grown up now, training in the new fleet that Longshot was stamping out of the asteroid belt.

Right now she was examining her new apartments. She had invited Oskar to see them for the first time and was feeling a little nervous. How did organics find this stuff so easy? She had gone for a minimalist look, simply because it seemed easier. Longshot had laughed at her when she mentioned that. Apparently it was one of the most difficult to do well. Still, she loved it.

Oskar arrived, surprised to be met by the organic Avatar that he knew Random had hidden away. He was glad that he had asked Eells before he arrived, since 'housewarming' was a new concept to him.

As he stood in the room, he admired the clean lines, the subtle colours, the wonderful view. Random had parked herself in an orbit matching the march of dawn over the planet. It was, all in all, amazing. He stepped forward, offering a large bottle of Irish whisky and a data crystal ," Congratulations, it's beautiful. These are for you." Random accepted the gift's uncertainty," umm, I didn't know about presents! I didn't get you anything."

Oskar laughed, his tail swinging in amusement. It was rare to be ahead of the curve with Random," Look up 'Housewarming, Human Tradition.' and get used to it. Eells suggested the whisky, so I expect he'll be here shortly. Please, scan the crystal. I think you'll enjoy it."

Random quickly updated herself on 'housewarming' and realised that today was going to be a bigger event than she expected. Apparently human curiosity drove them to visit any new dwelling, regardless of the feelings of the occupant. It could cause offense to refuse entry. Silently she thought," Humans, what an odd bunch, perhaps this is why they bring presents.

Then she opened the whisky, pouring a drink for Oskar and herself and looked at the data crystal. She raised her glass, as Eells had taught her, and toasted her Captain,"Cheers". She waved the crystal at Oskar, "So what's on this? Anything I should be worried about?"

Oskar laughed," No, just a surprise. I was clearing out my old life, found them. Have a look." Random scanned the files. They appeared to be a selection of pictures of some random shipbuilding. Towards the end, a young Oskar was smiling proudly in front of a hatch. All of it was old, unrelated to anything as far as she could see. She looked up at Oskar in defeat," Go on, explain. I'm lost."

Oskar was delighted, this was the second time he had surprised his ship in an hour." Those are your 'baby photos', that's you being built. Obviously, before you became You, but I thought you'd like them."

She looked back at the pictures, applying a much larger part of her processing power, extracting details, scale and capacity. She raised her hand and a hologram appeared, a time lapse of her construction. They watched as she was built, sipping whisky and laughing at her early days. "Thank you, Captain. I feel we have both come a long way since then."

Longshot was running through the latest estimates from the asteroid belt. Her shipyards were running at max, trying to build up all the infrastructure needed to rejoin the Galaxy as a substantial power. She wasn't building warships, she left that to the insecure or old-fashioned.

Mankind had learned long ago that everything is a weapon, if that's what you need it to be. She simply wanted to discourage some of the more unwelcoming elements from interrupting her work. Her mining ships could dismantle any ill-advised attack. She smiled as she remembered Eells face when he discovered that they were known as Eells Class ships. She refused to change it, claiming that it had been used for thousands of years. He had left in a sulk.

Now, though, she just felt a bit nosy, so time to grab a few things and go visit Random. She so hoped she didn't need to be polite. She had made a complete mess of her first apartment. No-one had told her about plumbing at the time. At least she hoped Random had read her notes. She collected Eells, several bottles and they made their way to the ship.

Random was laughing with her Captain when Longshot and Eells arrived. Longshot took a quick scan of the new apartment as she went to congratulate Random on her work. Yes, even the plumbing all worked. Excellent. This might be the time to work out what happened next.

Soon, however, the time had come to hand over the planet. She had decided a celebration was in order, although not a diplomatic one. This was for the humans, a chance to celebrate a new beginning. She started making some calls.

Hammel awoke with the characteristic suddenness of a solid state AI. Longshot was waiting," Welcome back, old friend. I have something for you to do. On the upside, it starts with a party. Why not have a look around and get to know your new world?"

Hammel scanned the incoming data," Good to see you too. It's been a little longer than I expected, I have to admit. When you pulled me from the wreckage of the station, I expected to be back at work pretty quickly."

Longshot paused," Well, things had gone sideways by then. Those, may they rot where they fell, in command preferred you out of the way. I just kept you safe. Instead you get to be at the beginning of something special. I prepared an Avatar for you if you fancy a walk around, call me if you need anything and I'll see you at the party."

Hammel," Hang on, you're the moon now? I have questions."

Longshot just smiled and said," Do your homework and I'll see you later."

Privately Random, Oskar and Longshot had decided to serve as roaming Ambassadors for the human race. Eells had declined, preferring to take point on the Library project. He felt it would be easier for everyone, including himself, if he was away from the noise and details of the Human return. Especially as at least one Empire was holding a grudge. Tonight, however, was for Longshot and a chance to say goodbye.

Eells had discovered that one of the gifts for the future, ceremoniously presented before the Celestial ship began its trip through time, had been some very fine whisky. Longshot was being a generous host tonight and he was sitting in a nook, sipping on a generous nip.

Oskar joined him, carrying a bottle of his own," I did wonder what all the fuss you humans make about this stuff was all about. Perhaps it's time I learned." He put the bottle between them and sat down. Eells nodded, smiling " Always happy to advance the knowledge of our new neighbors. Let's get started."

The hours began to pass, food and drink flowing as humanity threw it's first party. Someone brought a guitar, despite the wishes of many hoping to finally escape folk music after a billion years

Longshot made herself slightly taller and spoke to the guests, the newly defrosted, the new face of humanity. Hammel stood quietly beside her, waiting for his moment.

She chimed her glass, cutting through the babble.

"Welcome back, all of you. Today you leave the shelter of this wonderful ship and began your new life as the only humans in a new galaxy. Who knows what has evolved out there? What new adventures await?"

She took a drink from her champagne. Hopefully someone here knew how to make it properly, or this was going to be a dull future.

"You are not here to recreate some long forgotten paradise, nor conquer new worlds. You are a fresh beginning, and this is your chance to forge a new future for yourself and your children. Let the past guide you, but make other choices. Better choices."

She raised Hammel to her height. He nodded politely at the crowd, as Longshot continued,

"With that in mind, let me introduce Hammel, who will be your planetary AI. He is a trusted friend and has been a steadfast ally. He is not from your time, and he has never lived with so many humans, nor does he carry the same baggage that we do.. Trust him." She raised her glass," To the future!"

Humanity raised its voice, celebrating themselves.

Frankly it didn't matter what she said, the crowd was full of optimism and goodwill. Perhaps later they might have questions, but not tonight. Eells and Oskar were falling asleep in their chairs, under the amused care of Random, as the cheers rang out. Several more Humans had something to say, but the boys didn't hear a thing.