Something Up There Likes Me
Encyclopedia
"Something Up There Likes Me" is a science fiction
short story
by Alfred Bester
. The story was first published in Astounding: The John W Campbell Memorial Anthology
.
2002 mainframe computer at Goddard Space Flight Center
.
containing an Orbiting Biological Observatory. The assignment has various delays and failures, but eventually the satellite, containing experimental packages contributed by various research institutions, is delivered to Cape Kennedy and launched.
Within a day, they find that an experimental boom has not extended as ordered and that the satellite is focusing on it, thus not spinning correctly. This means that the solar array is not continuously focused on the sun. and so insufficient power is being generated. They calculate that at a certain moment, they can bypass the batteries and give the satellite a high-voltage 'swift kick'. This works initially, but within a week, the experimenters find data being generated that shouldn't be possible.
They eventually realise that the satellite has developed its own intelligence, naming itself 'OBO'. Moreover, it is communicating with other satellites and increasing its abilities. Finally, it contacts Jake and Florinda via 'Stretch' and starts making demands.
Unable to trigger the destruct command, the scientists have no choice but to obey. OBO assumes control over the entire Earth via various electrical and communication systems and causes the destruction of a number of cities. But it considers Florinda and Jake to be its 'parents' and manoeveres them to a small hick
town where they will be safe from the carnage that may result.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Alfred Bester
Alfred Bester
Alfred Bester was an American science fiction author, TV and radio scriptwriter, magazine editor and scripter for comic strips and comic books...
. The story was first published in Astounding: The John W Campbell Memorial Anthology
Astounding: The John W Campbell Memorial Anthology
Astounding: The John W. Campbell Memorial Anthology is a 1973 festschrift honoring noted science fiction and fantasy editor John W. Campbell, in the form of an anthology of short stories by various science fiction authors, edited by Harry Harrison...
.
Plot introduction
The story is narrated by 'Stretch', an IBMIBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
2002 mainframe computer at Goddard Space Flight Center
Goddard Space Flight Center
The Goddard Space Flight Center is a major NASA space research laboratory established on May 1, 1959 as NASA's first space flight center. GSFC employs approximately 10,000 civil servants and contractors, and is located approximately northeast of Washington, D.C. in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA. GSFC,...
.
Plot summary
Jake Madigan, an exobiologist, and Florinda Pot, an engineer, both based at Goddard, are assigned the preparation and launch of a satelliteSatellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
containing an Orbiting Biological Observatory. The assignment has various delays and failures, but eventually the satellite, containing experimental packages contributed by various research institutions, is delivered to Cape Kennedy and launched.
Within a day, they find that an experimental boom has not extended as ordered and that the satellite is focusing on it, thus not spinning correctly. This means that the solar array is not continuously focused on the sun. and so insufficient power is being generated. They calculate that at a certain moment, they can bypass the batteries and give the satellite a high-voltage 'swift kick'. This works initially, but within a week, the experimenters find data being generated that shouldn't be possible.
They eventually realise that the satellite has developed its own intelligence, naming itself 'OBO'. Moreover, it is communicating with other satellites and increasing its abilities. Finally, it contacts Jake and Florinda via 'Stretch' and starts making demands.
Unable to trigger the destruct command, the scientists have no choice but to obey. OBO assumes control over the entire Earth via various electrical and communication systems and causes the destruction of a number of cities. But it considers Florinda and Jake to be its 'parents' and manoeveres them to a small hick
Hick
-Surname:*Benjamin Hick, , a mechanical engineer*Graeme Hick, , an English cricketer*John Hick, , a philosopher of religion and theologian*Pentland Hick , a British entrepreneur, author, and publisher*W. E...
town where they will be safe from the carnage that may result.