The A.I (special preview)

October 5th, 20xx

My team and I have each been given one of the SP Bunkers to test out, and I will be moving in tomorrow. We’ve each also been given a journal to log our progress during these tests. It could be a job easily handled by the SP system, but we decided a physical log would be a good habit to form. 

We have been working on the SP Bunker for several years, although before that, it had originally been an attempt to create an automated house, rather than a safety bunker. After a few, let’s say, historical events, our boss had decided that, in the future, homes would be a thing of the past, and instead, personal safety would be the next wave. As such, we focused on not just creating a safe home, but the safest place on earth.

The SP Bunker is designed to go underground in the event of an emergency. Not only that, the A.I system is built to learn and adapt to its inhabitants. It can automatically order anything the household might need, as well as disinfect any and all packages that come into the house.

The entire bunker is made with a new resilient polymer that is bulletproof, explosion proof, heat proof, shock absorbent, sterile, resistant to cracks and leaks, and one of the best isolated domiciles in the world today. The only downfall of this is that the bunkers don’t have windows, rather, inside there are screens that will show the outside, or any image requested. Because of this, the ventilation system lets in fresh air constantly, going through a series of filters and ionizers to ensure optimum quality. Dehumidifiers and humidifiers are also integrated into the ventilation system, relegated by a system of top of the line sensors. 

Everything is connected back to the A.I and system in the SP Bunkers that we have been lovingly referring to as SAM. SAM can be personalized with a variety of special features. SAM’s voice can be changed to suit the individual user of the bunker, and from a catalog of movies, television shows and radio programs, SAM’s voice can be taken from any celebrity you choose, or even optimized from a special set of controls. SAM can also be restricted from certain rooms, or have special protocols in others. SAM was programmed to not just be another device in the home, but a member of the home. Working as assistant, tutor, bodyguard, doctor, SAM is capable of handling any and all emergencies. 

I have only been able to work with SAM prototypes, so I am excited to have a SAM of my very own. And considering these tests are going to be conducted individually, SAM will be my constant companion in the bunker. 

I’m a little nervous going into these tests. I do not doubt that we are ready to go to market and that everything is safe and functioning well. I have just never worked alone like this before. I have never even lived alone. It’s a huge step for me, but I know that in the long run, SAM and the SP bunker are worth this trial. We’ve worked so hard on this, especially when having to shift our focus halfway through. I can’t wait to see it all pay off.

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The air inside the bunker is quite cold, and the sterile scent of disinfectant and brand new everything makes me feel like a Barbie doll. The prim perfection of everything is a tad bit unnerving, but after a bit of living in, all of this will become cozy and homelike in no time.

“Here’s your key manual.” My boss, Derek Izzard, hands me the booklet featuring all the keycodes needed in the event of an emergency. He smiles at me, placing his hand on my shoulder. This will probably be the last human contact I will have for the following few months. 

“You’re not nervous, are you?” He chuckles.

“Only for personal reasons. You know me. But in terms of my job, I have no reason to feel any reservations about the bunker or SAM.” I stiffen my posture and notice his eyes trail. 

“Anything I can help with, Emma?” Derek’s hand slides down my shoulder to my arm where it rubs up and down.

I shake my head. “No, just something silly is all. I think after a while, I’ll be okay by myself.”

Derek moves in close to kiss my cheek and I step back slightly. I smile nervously at him and he returns it. “Then welcome home.” He steps out of the bunker and the door shuts, hissing as it seals. The handles on the door turn, cranking and clicking. After a while, the bunker will go underground for round one of tests. 

I look back at all the boxes of my belongings. It’s not as much as I would usually have. Since the bunkers are already furnished, the most I brought along were clothes and personal items. I set aside the keycode booklet and wander around.