Member-only story
Killer in the Capsule
A Sci-Fi Short Story
“Commander Roberts is a talented officer with bright potential. She is typically a good judge of character but is perhaps too suspicious of android technology.”
Shannon Roberts flung her digital pad onto the bed in disgust. She had read those words from her C.O. back on Earth numerous times and it irritated her every time. Yes, it was an informal report — one given to her new C.O. here on the Orion, but it still grated on her.
She didn’t distrust technology. She just believed things were moving too fast. Had it been up to her superiors, E.R.I.K. would be the only one monitoring the ship and the crew right now. It was she who had prevailed on NASA that having human oversight was wise — especially for this historic voyage.
Computers malfunction. Systems break down. And it unnerved her that an android was carrying so much responsibility for her safety and that of her fellow passengers.
Of course, humans needed to sleep. So, for the last six hours, E.R.I.K. had been the only one on duty. She hurriedly dressed in her uniform and was out the door headed for a quick check-in at Engineering and then to the Cryo Chamber where the rest of the crew was resting.
“Good morning, Commander,” the android said politely, as Shannon made her way through the…
