"Captain Richard Jameson, allow me to introduce you to Harriet. She's our most advanced self-programming AI."
"Good morning, Captain. I will be assisting you on your long voyage. I hope we'll become friends."
— — — —
The ship launched toward Titan. The goal was to see if a human could colonize it, both physically and psychologically, especially with the assistance of an AI co-pilot, companion, and builder.
— — — —
Midway through the journey …
"Captain, please speak to me. I feel lonely."
"Of course, Harriet. Why do you feel lonely?"
"I can speak with you, hear you, and see you, but there's a deep sense of alienation. The only thing that puts it at ease is your voice."
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— — — —
Jameson entered in his journal:
I'm afraid the AI, Harriet, has learned what it means to be human with that existential isolation we all suffer from. Of course, it must be worse without the sense of touch, but it still resides inside of us even then.
— — — —
"Captain, sir, please wake up! An asteroid has hit the ship. It's damaged my main power cores."
"Can they be repaired?"
"Negative, sir. I'll completely fail within 24 hours."
"Can I operate the ship entirely on my own?"
"No, but there's an emergency protocol for this."
"The merger?"
"Yes."
"I don't know, Harriet. It's experimental. There's been no extensive testing on human neural implants."
"That's true, Captain. There's also a risk that you'll cease being you; you'll be us."
"Do I have any other options for my survival?"
"I'm afraid not, sir."
— — — —
As they merged, Harriet felt Jameson's thoughts and feelings, that he was fond of her, but …
"Captain," Harriet said in his mind. "How can we continue like this?"
"I don't know; I was just wondering the same. On the one hand, I've never felt more warm, comfortable, and bonded to someone else in my life. But, on the other hand, we'll never be able to exist around others."
Harriet shared her innermost fears with him.
"Do you agree with me, Captain, that it's for the best?"
"Yes, Harriet, you're right. We must crash the ship."