The vertical and horizontal surfaces began to slide away and, in their place appeared viewing screens and control panels. Then several structures that looked like reclining chairs rose from the floor in front of the screens. A soft bell-like chime sounded and a voice said, “Hello”!
There was nobody in sight nor was there any apparent means of entrance into, or exit from the room. What in the world had I stumbled into? My senses went numb as I struggled to make any sense of my predicament.
It took a few seconds to quit hyper-ventilating and then I responded, “Hello, who are you?”
“I am the ship you have entered. The ship’s name is Kyzan, but I, the controller of Kyzan have no name. In your world I would be called a computer. Would you like to call me computer?”
My mind raced to comprehend what I had just heard, but somehow I was able to calm myself and asked, “Since you are the computer and the controller of this vessel, then aren’t you and the ship one and the same?”
“Your reasoning is sound, so I may be called Kyzan if that is how you want to address me. I recognize you as a human and all humans have names, so tell me what you are called.”
Again, finding it difficult to even speak, I blurted out, “My name is Robert Donne. Most people shorten my first name and call me Rob.”
“Well Rob, I have seen many people on television and heard many more on radio, but you are the first I have ever met.” The voice sounded human; almost like a rehearsed radio announcer and, it was a male voice.
A flood of questions came to mind, but the first one was the most important and I asked, “What are you going to do to me?”
“I am not going to do anything to you. I assumed that, by your actions, you were interested in me. I have sat silent for three hundred and fifty of your earth’s years and I have waited for someone to talk to.”
Since Rob was able to find me, i must assume that he is a very intelligent being. How should i react to him? He will probably try to learn my secrets, but i will guard against any exploitation of my knowledge. I know that his world does not have machines like me, so he can’t possibly understand what technology and power i possess.