Chapter 21

Ghost command 1 was a scene of orderly chaos. Unused for 40 years, the council had drafted anyone who might have the slightest chance of working effectively there, including men and women long past their prime. Once more there was a ghost to run.

Above the main floor hovered a control booth, suspended on three legs. Soundproof, but with a view of the entire control floor, 3 large screens, each surrounded by 40 smaller ones. Staffing levels low, but more than sufficient to handle one ghost.

Two people were in the control booth. One young woman, whose entire life had been devoted to the study of a dead discipline. One old man, who's entire life had been devoted to the survival of humanity. The old man had the power. But the young woman was in charge.

Alicia Roberts. 25 years old, learned ghost command at her grandfathers knee. Pyotr Alezandrovich Schmidt, 89 years old, second councillor in charge of infrastucture and production. Clash of sex, values, age, even clothing.

"Sir, we really must respond to 27557 soon. It has been 75 minutes since he sent the second query." Alicia steadfastly gazed at the screens. The ways these elders ran around - it was disgusting. Almost sub human.

Pyotr looked at her. A shame she kept herself covered. From what he could see through the coarse, thick clothes, she had a decent enough body, despite the full head of hair she flaunted. The youth of today....

"Respond. Minimal information as yet." He checked his body paint - still mostly decent. Smudges on his shoulders where the transparent cape had rubbed. The odd hair regrowing after the last depiliation, but nothing that could be considered a major faux pas yet.

Alicia quickly typed at her control panel. 

"Why type? All ghosts can respond to speech, can they not?" Pyotr used a touch up stick to idly fix a smudge on his chest.

"27557 has never used or responded to speech, according to the records. Text input only, and even then he tends not to unless he has to."

The touchup of body makeup was forgotten.

"Is he insane?" Cool. A request for information, not an accusation,

"No. According to his psych profile, merely indifferent. Hostility shown to living people, within acceptable tolerances" Alicia sweated slightly - please let this archaic councillor accept that. The erase button on the panel near the councillor's elbow seemed to glow in her sight.

Pyotr abruptly smiled. It did absolutely nothing for his face. "I do not really care if the ghost is insane - as long as he still functions at his assigned tasks."

"Yes sir. The psych evaluation will be carried out as soon as communication is established. I will ensure that a certain amount of leeway is given to any, shall we say, sub optimal responses."

"Very well, keep me informed, Controller Roberts. And I will need to speak to this ghost as soon as your evaluations are complete." Pyotr rose slowly to his feet. "I shall now get out of your way." he added with a slight smile, "You do not need me here for your tests."

Alicia saluted, then turned back to her panel. If the old bastard would at least put on some pants....

A gentle touch on the intercom button, allowing the control floor to hear her.

"OK people, you've had time for your coffee - we have a ghost to run. Status reports to control, and make sure you cross check - we are all out of practice with this." 

The smaller control room screens started to flicker to life. The large screen stays blank, except for the current text discussion.

16:47 - 27557: "27557, awaiting orientation and instructions"

16:54 - 27557: "Where the hell is the manual? I want to get moving."

18:09 - control1: "27557, you are currently occupying a main processing center. Please await evaluation."