May 6, 2410
IPS Challenger
Somewhere near Rigel

"This is the perfect opportunity to test the new agent selection assistance VI," Vision said.

Gryphon frowned. "I told you, I don't trust those things. The 3WA has one and it's always screwing up."

"Oh, come on," Vision cajoled. "I programmed this one myself. It's way smarter than theirs. It'll save you time. You need that if you're going to keep doing both jobs until your replacement is ready to take over the Space Force."

With a sigh, the Chief leaned back behind the desk of his office off the bridge and said, "Fine, fine. Run it, let's see what we get."

Vision grinned and shunted herself to a small side window. "OK! I've got all the parameters for the mission entered into the matrix already, so I just run it through like so and... "

"Mission confirmed," another voice - slightly more synthetic than Vision's, with very faintly mechanical diction - announced. "Selection complete. Recommended personnel... "

The main display switched from a holographic flatscreen to a full 3D projection of a man in a white racing suit, standing next to an orthographic three-view of a sports car rendered in neon wireframe.

"The Stig," said the VI. "Top Gear tame racing driver. Immortal. Vehicle codename: Interceptor."

The Stig's holoimage remained for a moment, then switched to a projection of a different person, this one a dark-haired woman in green and yellow, and a three-view of a different car.

"Gloria Baker," the VI went on. "Diving instructor and racing driver. Black belt in kung fu. Vehicle codename: Shark."

Gryphon glanced at Vision's window. "I'm not seeing it do anything I couldn't have done myself," he observed.

"Wait for it," she told him.

Another moment, and then a third person's image replaced Gloria's. This one was... slightly different from the previous candidates, enough so to draw an involuntary snort of laughter out of the Chief.

"Wheeljack," said the VI remorselessly. "Autobot weapons engineer. Rallycross champion. Vehicle codename: Wheeljack."

The display then changed back to a flat panel, broken up into three horizontal windows, each displaying the file headshot and general stats of one of the candidates.

"Recommendations complete. Please make selection," the VI said.

"You wouldn't have thought of that, would you," Vision said triumphantly.

"Well... no, I have to admit I wouldn't," Gryphon replied. "Though mainly because we want the dam to still be there once the package is delivered," he added with a wry grin, selecting the middle window.

"Agent Selection" - a Future Imperfect Micro-Story by Benjamin D. Hutchins
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