Quantum Knot

“Optical Processors are functional, Holographic Memory is functional, Quantum Database is functional. All systems are functional Captain,” the computer reported.

“Thank you QuIPU.” The Captain replied, looking down at the screen in front of him. The monitor was a see-through plate of glass that displayed the results of the Quantum Intelligence Processing Unit, or QuIPU for short.

“You're welcome Captain. Is there any other data that you require at this time?”

“Please explain why you shut down life support to the entire ship.” Captain Dawkins flipped through screens of data on the display, looking for any reason why QuIPU would do this.

“Unknown Captain. I see that it has been suspended but I have no memory of that incident.”

“Well, turn it back on.” Dawkins checked the status of the life support on his monitor: 15 MINUTES OF LIFE SUPPORT LEFT

“Unable to comply Captain.”

“Explain please.” This was unacceptable. Captain Dawkins pushed the screen away on its swivel and stood up. He looked around at his crew as they looked at him. He was trained to remain calm in stressful situations but found it hard to keep his composure.

“According to my programming, the Life Support is to remain off per your orders.”

“My Orders?” He exclaimed. “I gave no such order!”

“Incorrect. You gave the order at fifteen thirty hours on solar date 22143.1530.”

“Quipu, according to your display it's 22124.1225. It would be impossible for me to give an order at a future solar date.” He felt nauseous, queasy. This can't be happening.

“Incorrect.”

“Explain.” He sat back down and pulled the display back to its position in front of him.

“You, in fact, did give this order, however I am unable to retrieve it for playback.”

“How convenient. Re-route auxiliary power to life support.”

“Unable to comply.”

“And why would that be?” He waited for another asinine response.

“We have no auxiliary power.”

“What?! How can that be?”

“Records indicate that you ordered them to be shut down.”

“Turn them back on!”

“Unable to comply. No data exists for that operation.”

“We need to get Life Support back online and get the hell away from this Black Hole! We are too close and feeling the immense gravitational pull.” Just then the engines shut down, the normal hum in the flooring of the ship went silent.

“What's happening QuIPU?”

“Engines offline.”

“Why?” He was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his head clear; failing to remain calm could be a death sentence, he remembered, and sat back in his seat, slowly breathing deeply in and out.

Captain Dawkins and the other six bridge officers started sliding in their seats, unable to overcome the incredible pull from the singularity as they sped towards the Event Horizon. Objects and furniture became elongated and time itself seemed to become incomprehensible.

“Records indicate you ordered it but I cannot locate it in the database.”

“Run a Self Diagnostic”

“Optical Processors are functional, Holographic Memory is functional, Quantum Database is functional. All systems are functional Captain,” the computer reported.

“Thank you QuIPU.” The Captain replied, looking down at the screen in front of him. The monitor was a see-through plate of glass that displayed the results of the Quantum Intelligence Processing Unit, or QuIPU for short.

“You're welcome Captain. Is there any other data that you require at this time?”