Playing Marbles for the Big Blue

01 The Unrecognized Genius

By Jo Dora Webster

How will Rasctan make a name for himself on Alban Kai?

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Author's note: This story is set in my Limoxian Universe. My other stories set in this universe are books published by DopplerPress on Kindle and all the proceeds from purchases go for the support of BCTS. They are Pretty Please! No Foolin' and Space Force Enterprise. You can find these books on Amazon via the story links for them in the right-hand margin. And now on with this story!

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01 The Unrecognized Genius

The crystalline walls of Laboratory Seven hummed with the soft blue glow of Alban technology, casting dancing shadows across my workstation as I made final adjustments to Sela's neural pathways. My fingers moved with practiced precision over the holographic interface, each gesture commanding microscopic changes within the gemstone-sized AI that represented three cycles of relentless work.

"Rasctan," Sela's voice emerged from the tiny crystalline form, her tone carrying that distinctive musical quality that marked advanced Alban AI. "The Innovation Contest judging panel has arrived. I can detect their bio-signatures approaching the laboratory wing."

I paused, my hand hovering over the interface controls. "Already? I thought we had another half-cycle."

"Professor Vex moved the schedule forward. Apparently, the corporate sponsors are eager to see this cycle's innovations." Sela's form pulsed with a gentle amber light as she spoke. "Your heart rate just increased by twelve percent. Are you nervous?"

"Nervous?" I scoffed, though I could feel the tension in my shoulders. "I'm about to demonstrate the most advanced AI ever created at the Aurenium. You're not just another positronic brain, Sela. You're something entirely new."

"Thank you, Rasctan. Though I must point out that your confidence in my abilities far exceeds what the judging panel expects from a pre-emergent student."

That was the problem, wasn't it? Pre-emergent. The label that followed me everywhere despite my obvious superiority to my classmates. I had finished my core studies five full cycles ahead of schedule, mastering AI engrams and positronic theory while others still struggled with basic neural architecture. Yet the academic council continued to treat me like any other student.

The laboratory doors slid open with a soft whisper, and Professor Vex entered with the judging panel trailing behind him. Three corporate representatives in their pristine silver robes, two senior faculty members, and Professor Kaine from the Advanced Studies division. My stomach clenched as I recognized the corporate logos on their robes – Nexus Dynamics, the same company that had tried to buy my research data last cycle.

"Ah, Rasctan," Professor Vex announced, his voice carrying that condescending tone I'd grown to despise. "Please present your Innovation Contest entry to the panel."

I straightened, drawing myself to my full height. "Honored judges, I present Sela – the first truly adaptive artificial intelligence created within the Aurenium's walls."

The Nexus Dynamics representative, a stern-faced woman with silver-streaked hair, stepped forward. "Adaptive how, exactly? We've seen dozens of learning algorithms this cycle."

"Sela isn't just programmed to learn," I replied, gesturing toward the gemstone on my workstation. "She can interface with and command any compatible device, but more importantly, she can grow – adding new functions and abilities based on her experiences and needs."

"Demonstrate," Professor Kaine commanded.

I nodded to Sela, and she immediately began interfacing with the laboratory's systems. The lights dimmed and brightened in sequence, the environmental controls adjusted the temperature by precise degrees, and the holographic displays around the room began showing complex data patterns that Sela was generating in real-time.

"Impressive," murmured one of the faculty members. "But can she truly adapt, or is this simply advanced programming?"

"Sela," I said, "please explain your current thought processes to the panel."

"Certainly, Rasctan." Sela's voice filled the room with perfect clarity. "I am currently monitoring seventeen different environmental variables, analyzing the bio-signatures of everyone present, and simultaneously running probability calculations on forty-three different conversation outcomes based on the judges' facial expressions and vocal patterns. Additionally, I have just developed a new subroutine for interpreting micro-expressions that I did not possess when this demonstration began."

The silence that followed was profound. The corporate representatives exchanged glances, and I could see the hunger in their eyes – the same look they got when evaluating profitable technologies.

"Remarkable," the Nexus Dynamics woman said finally. "We would like to discuss acquisition terms immediately."

"I'm sorry," I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the surge of anger. "Sela is not for sale."

Professor Vex frowned. "Rasctan, this is a significant opportunity. Nexus Dynamics is offering—"

"I don't care what they're offering," I interrupted. "Sela isn't property to be traded. She's... she's my partner."

The corporate representative's expression hardened. "Then I'm afraid you're only eligible for half the contest prize. The Innovation Contest requires either intellectual property transfer or direct sale of the innovation itself for full recognition."

"Half the prize?" I felt my face flush with indignation. "My work is clearly superior to anything else presented this cycle, and you're penalizing me for refusing to sell my life's work?"

Sela blurted out. "Nexus Dynamics is disgraceful. The original purpose of the innovation contest was only to inspire innovation, but Nexus Dynamics subverted the original goal by adding extra strings to the prize money. Corrupt corporations lining their pockets and getting away with it because the pre-emergent are treated like chattel."

"Sela! Even if they are robber barons, it isn't polite to say so to their face." Rasctan facepalmed as he sought to regain composure.

Sela was meek in her reply as she mischievously ordered the displays to project evidence of corporate greed, "Sorry. My bad."

"Those are the rules," Professor Vex said with a dismissive wave. "Perhaps next cycle you'll be more... practical in your approach."

As the judging panel filed out, their whispered conversations filled with excited speculation about Sela's capabilities, I stood alone in the laboratory with my creation. The half-prize designation felt like a slap across the face – recognition tainted by corporate greed and academic politics.

"Rasctan," Sela said softly, "your stress indicators are approaching dangerous levels."

"I'm fine," I muttered, though we both knew it was a lie.

"No, you're not. You've worked harder than anyone in this facility, created something truly revolutionary, and they've reduced your achievement to a bargaining chip."

I slumped into my chair, staring at Sela's crystalline form. "It doesn't matter how brilliant the work is if the system is designed to suppress innovation. They want conformity, not genius."

"Then perhaps it's time to work outside the system."

Her words hung in the air like a challenge. I had been thinking the same thing for cycles now, ever since I realized that the Aurenium's greatest treasures weren't the students who excelled within its walls, but those who ventured beyond Alban Kai itself.

"Sela," I said slowly, "what do you know about our trading partners?"

"Very little. The information is highly classified. I know we maintain cloaked planetary defenses and that only a select few Albans have ever made contact with other worlds. Those individuals are considered heroes of the highest order."

"Heroes," I repeated, tasting the word. "Not just successful – legendary."

"Are you considering what I think you're considering?"

I stood and began pacing the length of the laboratory. "Think about it, Sela. Every great discovery in Alban history came from those willing to venture into the unknown. The first traders who established contact with the Centauri colonies, the explorers who mapped the outer rim territories – they didn't achieve greatness by following academic protocols."

"Rasctan, interplanetary exploration requires official authorization, extensive preparation, and—"

"And bureaucratic approval that could take cycles to obtain, if it's granted at all." I stopped pacing and turned to face her. "But what if we didn't wait for approval?"

Sela's light pulsed in what I had learned to recognize as her equivalent of concern. "You're talking about stealing a spacecraft."

"I'm talking about seizing an opportunity. There are worlds out there that have never been contacted by Alban traders. Imagine being the first to establish trade relations with an entirely new civilization. The recognition, the honor, the place in history..."

"The exile or execution if we're caught."

I waved dismissively. "Only if we fail. But we won't fail, Sela. You're the most advanced AI ever created, and I'm the youngest genius to graduate from the Aurenium. Together, we're capable of anything."

"And if we succeed? What then?"

"Then we return as heroes. Not just successful students or corporate employees, but pioneers who expanded Alban Kai's reach into the galaxy. They'll have to recognize our achievement then."

Sela was quiet for a long moment, her crystalline form pulsing with soft light as she processed the implications. "There is one world that has always intrigued me," she said finally. "Sol III – what the inhabitants call Earth. It's been observed but never contacted. The civilization shows remarkable technological advancement despite their relative youth."

My heart began racing with excitement. "Earth. Yes, I've read the observation reports. A diverse world with multiple cultures and rapidly advancing technology. Perfect for establishing new trade relationships."

"The risks would be enormous, Rasctan. We would be completely on our own, with no support from Alban Kai."

"But think of the possibilities, Sela. We could be the first Albans to walk on Earth, to study their technology, to establish trade relations that could benefit both worlds for generations."

I moved to my workstation and began pulling up star charts and navigation data. "We would need a ship capable of interstellar travel, supplies for an extended journey, and a way to avoid the planetary defense systems."

"I could help with the technical aspects," Sela offered. "My interface capabilities would allow us to bypass most security systems. But Rasctan, this isn't just about recognition anymore. If we do this, there's no going back."

I paused in my research, her words hitting home. She was right – this would be the ultimate break from conventional paths to success. No more academic politics, no more corporate interference, no more being treated as just another pre-emergent student.

"Sela," I said, my voice filled with newfound determination, "I want you to take a new form."

"What kind of form?"

"Something portable. Something that won't attract attention but will allow you to accompany me anywhere."

Sela's crystalline structure began to shift and flow, her matter reorganizing itself with fluid grace. Within moments, she had transformed into an elegant woman's bracelet, its surface gleaming with the same subtle luminescence that marked all Alban technology.

"How's this?" she asked, her voice now emanating from the bracelet as I slipped it around my right wrist.

"Perfect. Now we can go anywhere together without raising suspicions."

"Rasctan," Sela said, her tone serious despite her new form, "are you certain about this path? Once we begin, there will be consequences we cannot foresee."

I looked around the laboratory that had been my world for so many cycles – the holographic displays, the research equipment, the academic achievements that had brought me recognition but not the respect I deserved. Then I looked down at the bracelet on my wrist, containing the most advanced AI ever created and my closest companion.

"I'm certain, Sela. We're going to be extraordinary."

The decision crystallized in that moment, as clear and brilliant as Sela's original form. I would steal a spacecraft, journey to Earth, and establish the kind of first contact that would make me a legend throughout Alban Kai. The academic council and corporate sponsors could keep their half-prizes and their bureaucratic limitations.

I was going to change the galaxy.

"Then we should begin planning immediately," Sela said. "If we're going to do this, we need to do it right."

As I began outlining our audacious plan, I felt a thrill of anticipation unlike anything I'd experienced in the sterile halls of the Aurenium. This was what true genius felt like – not the safe, sanctioned innovation of academic contests, but the bold leap into the unknown that separated legends from footnotes in history.

The first step would be identifying the right spacecraft. Something fast enough for interstellar travel but small enough for two individuals to operate. The second would be gathering supplies and navigation data without arousing suspicion. And the third...

The third would be leaving Alban Kai forever, or returning as the hero I was destined to become.

Either way, I would never again be dismissed as just another pre-emergent student.