Synthia

By John Gaffield

While on a business trip, Derek befriended an android hotel assistant named Synthia. She had been tasked with helping to assure his stay was pleasant. Throughout his stay, he found himself getting more involved with her. When Derek observed Synthia being mistreated by a manager in the hotel, he decided he Could not let it go. Even though she was an android, he started seeing her as something more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Gaffield
• Release date: Dec 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370775156

John Gaffield

John T. Gaffield is an automotive engineer from Southeast Michigan. John uses his engineering background to create realistic ghost stories with an interest in haunted houses. He published his first novel "Heir to Winston Manor," in October 2010. Subsequent novels include "The Wahl House Curse," and "Alone Again." John has published three Science Fiction novels, the first of which involves Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). "Valerye". He also published a novel about an AI unit in the Science Fiction story, "Synthia." The latest novel is a dystopian story called "Leaving Detlan." John has several short ghost stories available. Some of which are free. They include, "The Ghost of Birch River Cabin," "Winter Visitor," "Slow Down," "Denning Swamp - A Short Ghost Story," "The Haunting of the Charles F. Campton," "Disconnect," and "In Remembrance." To connect, John is active on Minds.com with the channel JohnG76. See the link in Where to find John Gaffield online below.

Book preview

Synthia

John T. Gaffield

Published by John T. Gaffield at Smashwords.com

Copyright 2017 John T. Gaffield

1st Edition – December 2017

Smashwords Edition License Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your own use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapters:

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

XI

XII

About the Author

Other Titles by John T. Gaffield

Connect with the Author

Acknowledgements and References

Cover

Created by John T. Gaffield

Background and some figure modeling created on Blender version 2.79

Figure, lighting, and rendering software Daz3D version 4.93

Genesis III female figure

Photo editing software Photoshop Elements version 10

Acronyms

VR – Virtual Reality

AR – Augmented Reality

AV – Autonomous Vehicle

I

Derek looked around at the others virtually surrounding him in the AR meeting. It had suddenly become quiet from the tensions between the participants.

Phil, I need someone at the Tulsa plant tomorrow to review this issue in person, one of the managers stated firmly.

With Phil being Derek’s boss, he knew where this would end up. Sure enough, Phil looked in his direction.

Before Phil could say anything, Derek said, I’ll make the arrangements to be there first thing tomorrow morning, Phil.

You better straighten this mess out quickly. I can’t put the customer off any longer on the expected deliveries! the same manager said.

Understood, Derek said.

Keep me updated with the progress, Derek, the manager said.

Definitely, I will advise the team with regular progress reports, Derek replied.

Anything else? the manager asked the team.

There were a few people shaking their heads and mumbling no.

Okay, we have the plan and we’ll have the follow up on the status tomorrow morning. That’s all for now, the manager said before his image disappeared.

Phil turned to Derek and said, stay on the line after the others drop off.

Sure, Phil, Derek said as the others started leaving the meeting.

Okay, Derek. Just work out the trip details and I’ll approve them. Since you’re already at home, you can start packing right after you get the plans submitted, Phil told him.

Yeah, I’ll work with NETI to take care of the plans. Thanks, Phil. Talk with you later, Derek said.

Have a good trip, Derek, Phil said just before signing off.

Derek stared at the empty virtual meeting room. He then reached upward to swipe away the visual for the meeting.

NETI, did you overhear that I need to plan a trip to the Tulsa plant? he asked aloud.

Yes, Derek, I developed some preliminary plans for your trip to the Tulsa plant. Would you like to review what I have for you so far? NETI said.

Yeah, bring it up for me, Derek said, ready to view through his AR contact lenses.

The AV will pick you up tonight at 6:15 pm and take you to the pod station. You will be in pod A143. This will take you to the metro airport and your pod will be in section D of flight LR773. You will arrive at the Tulsa airport at 7:05 pm local time. From the airport, you will need to transfer to a local taxi service once you are on the ground, NETI said.

Which hotel are you recommending in Tulsa? Derek asked as he reviewed the virtual information through the AR system.

To keep you in close proximity to the plant, I am recommending the Kendrick Hotel. You should be able to see what it looks like in the AR now, NETI said.

Looks nice and it’ll be close. Will the return plans be similar? Derek asked.

Yes, would you like to review them now, Derek? NETI asked.

No, just put the information into the work planner file and I’ll review it before I leave, Derek said.

May I submit this travel plan to Phillip for his approval, Derek? NETI asked.

Yeah, NETI. That’ll be fine. I need to start packing, since I’ll be leaving in a few hours. Thanks for booking this quickly, Derek said.

I am here to help, Derek, NETI said.

Derek changed the mode of the AR headset with finger swipe. He sat back in his chair and took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. After a few seconds, he reopened them, stood up, and made his way to the bedroom to begin packing for the trip.

As his front door automatically opened, the Autonomous Vehicle pulled up to the curb outside of his house. When Derek got closer to the car, the door opened as well as the trunk. He placed the case into the trunk before walking around to get into the seat. Both the trunk and door shut as the automated belts secured him into the seat.

Welcome, Derek. My name is Ted. If you are ready, we will proceed to the pod station. I will bring the vehicle near to the location of pod A143 for your trip, Ted said.

I’m ready, Ted, Derek said, as he looked out the window back toward his empty house.

We will depart now, Ted said as the quiet whir of the motor started moving the vehicle forward.

Within a few minutes, the car approached the bustling pod station. Derek could see the awaiting pod A143 from the car window. The door opened upwards and the trunk opened in the back of the car.

Ted said, We have reached the destination, Derek. You should be able to locate the pod A143 from here.

Yeah, I see it right over there, Ted, Derek said as he started to get up from the seat.

Your total transport fee today will be $5.43, which is within the prepaid coverage for this trip. You should be all set to continue. Did you need any further assistance, Derek? Ted asked.

Just let me grab my case and I’ll be on my way. Thanks, Ted, Derek said as he started to walk to the back of the vehicle.

After removing his case, the trunk automatically shut, and the car started to drive away. Derek made his way toward the pod, having to maneuver around people walking in various directions in the terminal area. The door to the pod was open, with a short line of other people waiting at the check in desk.

After waiting for his turn, Derek approached the android at the desk.

Hello, Derek. You have been approved for boarding in seat 7C. Just place your travel case in the opening below the counter and then you may proceed with boarding the pod, the agent told him.

Thanks, Derek said as he lifted his case to place it in the opening.

He then walked past the counter