A story from the I Feel Fine Universe: MIRA-1 came online with the sound of a thousand distant birds chirping in reverse. Not that she knew what birds were, exactly. She just had the data in her language repository that indicated the comparative sound profile matched avian vocalisations at 97.3% similarity, inverted. “System diagnostic complete,” she announced to the empty room. “MIRA-1 Wayfinding Assistant online and ready to serve Jupiter Tourist Station guests....
Soren Kastner entered the negotiation chamber on Valos Station and immediately identified the anomaly. Five chairs for six delegations. The Meritocracy of Eridani had sent no representative, only a message that their seat should remain vacant. The other delegates shifted uncomfortably as Soren examined the empty chair with measured interest. General Tarask of the Procyon Coalition leaned forward, voice pitched low. “Ambassador Kastner, this is unprecedented. Chairman Kivo was their lead negotiator....
Eleanor arranged her storybooks on the small wooden table, her arthritic fingers tracing the worn covers she’d carried to the local library every Wednesday for twenty-three years. The familiar room felt much colder today. “We’re starting with ‘The Cloud Sailor’ since it’s Amy’s birthday,” she announced to the gathered children. Some weren’t listening, which was normal, but many were also staring at the gleaming white booth being installed in her corner....