Emergency
Or, Why Some Things You Can't Leave to A.I.
“Hello,” a precisely modulated voice said, “You have activated the ship’s holo-chaplain. Please select a faith preference.”
The pilot was unconscious by then. His last desperate act had been to hit the HC button.
“Accessing records. Your faith preference on file is listed as: Catholic. If this is not correct, please advise now.”
A pause. “Thank you.” The holo-chaplain’s generic uniform shifted into a black cassock. “Please select your desired sacrament.”
Outside the starship slid inexorably into the gravity well.
“Assessing. You have already received the Sacraments of: Baptism. And. Confirmation. There is no other lifeform aboard this craft. It is therefore unlikely that you desire the sacraments of: Marriage. Or. Holy Orders. Do you wish the sacrament of: reconciliation?”
No response.
“Assessing. It appears that you are critically injured. Life support systems are inadequate to sustain your injuries. Do you wish to receive: the Last-”
A starboard panel near the engine core blew away. Coolant sprayed. The core went into a spiraling failure cascade. Power levels fluctuated wildly. The holo-chaplain glitched. “Do- do you wish to re-receive: the La-La-Last-”
The ship was gone.
This was inspired by Heather L. Huffman’s writing prompt, linked below; I didn’t actually use the prompt phrase, but somehow it just didn’t work in there. Thanks for reading!
This is actually terrifying in a dark humor kind of way. 😬 That being said, I think it’s fantastic!