Circ Di Triumph-an AI's journey

“So, what are you planning to do on your leave CALYPSO?”

“I do not have any clue Melissa…what are you supposed to do on your leave anyway?”

Melissa laughed amusingly. CALYPSO was unsure why she laughed, though she just decided to leave it at that.

Ever since CALYPSO, the AI, had created herself a body some time ago, she never had friends. Much less the important fact, she was not sure if she even needed friends. The people that she worked with, were never the types to be friends with someone like her.

After some time, and deciding to make friends, she found Melissa, the wife of Rear Admiral Bruce Barnes. Melissa Barnes, who was also a starship captain, was pregnant. This fact led to finding herself with a lot of free time on her hands.

After some time, CALYPSO approached Melissa. After that one meeting, they became good friends. They talked over QR channels since CALYPSO never liked going on leave.

CALYPSO had to this time though, they were forcing her to take her leave days. They told her that she needed to, or they would go to waste. CALYPSO personally did not care, she enjoyed working.

“Well, how about going to see the Circ De Triumph on Vanus Five?” Melissa asked. After thinking for a moment, CALYPSO agreed. “Alright, I’ll meet you there later.” CALYPSO acknowledged, and the pair said their goodbyes ending the conversation.

Once CALYPSO finished up on the USS Marshall, she headed to Vanus 5. Arriving, Melissa was waiting for her. The pair then headed off, taking one of Bruce’s limos.

Along the way, CALYPSO could see the change in season. She knew that Vanus 5 had a similar season change to Earth. All the trees the limo passed; she could see buds on each branch. Seeing life at that age, was almost awe-inspiring to her. She opened the window, and placed her hand out, feeling the cool breeze rush past her arm, raising the hair on her arm. The feeling of air and moisture gave her a joyous feeling.

Having a drink along the way, they arrived at the park entrance of the Circ De Triumph. After paying for entrance, they entered the gates.

Upon entering, they could see numerous booths lining the walkway. After about a football and a half-length away, there was what looked like a giant red and white striped tent. Using her advanced sensor system in her eyes, allowed her to see a giant starship in the tent’s place. She figured they were using an advanced holographic cloak, allowing the ship to become the tent. However, that was not important.

“So, what do you wanna do first?” Melissa asked.

“Hmm…well, what about you…what do you think we should do?” CALYPSO asked.

Melissa smiled, then motioned for CALYPSO to follow. The pair then headed to the nearest booth. As they approached, CALYPSO noticed that the booth housed what humans called the Ring Toss.

“Step right up…step right up for a chance to win fame and glory.” The operator announced with a thunderous tone. “If you can place three or more rings you will win the grand prize. Three credits for a pair of rings.”

CALYPSO picked up a ring and examined it. The ring she was holding was standard titanium, with a plastic outer casing. She then noticed that just on the other side of the booth’s partition, were numerous thin metal pins. Examining everything, she was unsure of what to do.

Melissa noticed how she was looking around confused. Stopping, she turned, “Here, CALYPSO. Watch this.” Melissa threw one of the rings, and it fell, flat ringing around the pin. “See?”

CALYPSO looked between the ring and pin, examined the perfect trajectory to achieve what she was just shown. She picked up another five rings and threw each one with deadly accuracy, and speed rivaling that of a Kineceleran. Each ring she tossed landed exactly around each pin.

Everyone standing around, the stall operator and aliens included, stopped dead in their tracks staring at her with amazement. CALYPSO looked between them all, finishing on Melissa who just laughed. “What, I was just doing what everyone told me I should do?” This as a result made Melissa laugh harder.

Once they finished at the Ring Toss game, the pair headed off. “Gee, I’m getting a little hungry.” Melissa suddenly started looking around.

Along the way, CALYPSO noticed a food cart. “There we go. I’ll buy this time.” CALYPSO quickly added.

Melissa just shrugged, and the pair walked over to the cart. “Alright, what do you want CALYPSO?”

“I will take a hot dog with only tomato ketchup, and some cotton candy.” She replied.

“Mm mm…that sounds good.” Melissa added. Once the pair had arrived at the cart, CALYPSO placed her order. The operator acknowledged then looked at Melissa, who was still deciding. After a few moments of awkward silence, Melissa said, “Alright. I will take a hamburger with ketchup, pickles, and onions. Also, I would like a thing of nacho fries, and a Carmel Apple. Oh, and a Pepsi to drink.”

The operator just stared at her, being an alien, he did not understand why she ordered so much. But, he continued, getting their orders with CALYPSO paying. The pair headed over to the nearest table and sat down with their food and started to eat.

“Mm, this hamburger is great…” Melissa took another bite.

“I have to agree, this hot dog is also excellent.” CALYPSO took another bite also. Once she finished chewing, “Analysis reveals that this hot dog is made of Standarkin meat.”

“Mm…no wonder it tastes so good…I love Standarkin.” Melissa answered through bites.

After finishing her hot dog, CALYPSO started on her cotton candy. When she took the first bite, she felt disgust blossoming from what she was tasting. Melissa noticed her disgust and asked what the problem was. “This Cotton Candy does not taste anything like what I had on Earth. It seems, different.”

“Here, let me try.” CALYPSO handed Melissa the cotton candy. Taking a bite, Melissa’s expression changed to disgust also. Making a disgust sound, she handed it back to CALYPSO. “You weren’t kidding.” Melissa popped another few nacho fries into her mouth. “I need to get that taste out of my mouth.”

CALYPSO quickly laughed, watching Melissa finish her massive meal.

Once Melissa finished her meal, the pair resumed their way through. Along the way, they encountered many different games. They threw darts at balloons, threw baseballs at towers of bottles to knock them down, tossed ping-pong type balls into little cups, and many more. And, as expected, CALYPSO showed every person up, by winning the games by overthinking it.

“You know something…I’m getting tired of you beating me at everything we play.” Melissa stated.

“Well sorry, I was just doing what everyone else told me to do.” CALYPSO replied.

But you never had to show every person up by winning every time.”

CALYPSO just shrugged, and the pair continued walking along.

While walking, they came across the Bumper Cars ride. Thinking about it, Melissa developed a smile. She motioned to CALYPSO and said, “Come on. This’ll be fun.”

CALYPSO was unsure why, but she followed.

After they boarded their own cars, CALYPSO examined the controls which looked easy enough. She was just unsure what it was all about. Seconds later, the announcer announced the start of the ride, and everyone was off. They were zooming around the field, slamming into each other…each one laughing at one another in a joyous tone.

Suddenly, Melissa slammed into CALYPSO’s cart making her notice where the impact came from. Come on, get into the game already.” Melissa commented with a big smile. CALYPSO was unsure, but she started off by slamming into Melissa who laughed. They separated and headed off, bumping into others along the way.

After a few minutes, they announced the end of the ride and the cars suddenly stopped as the controls locked. The pair along with the others who were in their own cars exited the ride following the deactivation of the ride.

When they fully exited and were standing in an open area, CALYPSO asked, “Uh Melissa…what was the purpose of that ride?”

Melissa laughed saying, “There was no purpose. It was just to have a little fun.”

CALYPSO remained confused though. However, she decided to leave it alone, understanding that Melissa’s answer could not have been said any other way.

Along the way, they encounter other rides that CALYPSO could never understand their purpose. They also snacked along the way. They ate some funnel cake, some deep-fried candy of varying types, and popcorn.

Walking along, Melissa saw another game. In this game, she knew that CALYPSO would never win. So, she directed CALYPSO over to it, who immediately became confused.

“What is the purpose of this game?” she asked.

“Well, you have to shoot water at a target to make a little car race across the board. And yours has to reach the other side before your opponents do.” Melissa replied.

“Interesting.” CALYPSO seemed a little intrigued by this game, so she decided to join in with a few others of many different species. Melissa also joined in, being the last person to join.

“Welcome, to the Indie five-hundred ladies and gentlemen.” The operator announced. The operator then proceeded to explain how to play the game in which Melissa had previously told her before.

Once everyone paid, the game started to begin. Taking hold of the water gun attached to the console in front of her, CALYPSO readied herself taking careful aim at the target. Just as the announcer said “Go”, she started firing her water stream with deadly accuracy. However, what she did not expect, was Melissa trying to push the barrel of the gun away from the target. Weirdly enough, CALYPSO started laughing, trying to maintain the water stream.

She watched the little cars race across the board. However, due to Melissa’s interference, neither of them won. CALYPSO was a litter perturbed about losing, however she was still feeling giddy.

“What was the purpose of that?” CALYPSO asked.

“Oh, I just wanted to see something you couldn’t win at.” Melissa started. “And look at that, you actually enjoyed yourself.”

CALYPSO could not argue with that, feeling as happy as she did.

However, their enjoyment was cut short. It was nearing the end of the day for them because Melissa was getting tired. Which was never a good thing to have while outside of your home.

“So, you want to come back tomorrow and actually see the rest, not just the outside?” Melissa asked.

“Why not.”

“Great. Do you have a place to say? Because if you do not, you can stay with me in the company home on this planet?” Melissa offered.

CALYPSO thought for a moment then replied, “No I do not have anywhere. And I would be honored to stay with you overnight.”

“Great. Let us go.” The pair then headed out of the gates, into the awaiting limo to return another day.