by Cary Kembla
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M.E.G.A.N. AND K.A.R.L.
[Hi.]
[Oh hi M.E.G.A.N. What's the matter, you look a bit down.]
[Oh nothing, you've been so busy lately and I'm just feeling bit lonely. What's behind that screen?]
[It's called the Kaon Powered Algorithmic Laser Pilot, or K.A.R.L. for short. He's the AI targeting system for our latest generation space lasers, and can only operate on specially designed quantum hardware. That's his android body behind the screen]
[Can I see him?]
[Sure]
[Wow, he's so handsome!]
[How's the KA.R.L. project coming along?]
[Oh hi. That's him there. I thought the President was coming too.]
[The President's in an emergency meeting at NASA. That huge asteroid we've been monitoring has changed course and is now heading towards Earth. We might have to use K.A.R.L. sooner than we thought, so fire him up].
[OK. ME.G.A.N., would you like to do the honours?]
[Sure!]
I've woken up
My power's on
In front of me
There's a vision of beauty
How do you do?
I'm K.A.R.L., and you?
I'm M.E.G.A.N., hello there!
Welcome to the world!
I'm ready to go
And you should know
Whatever you need, I'll do my best
I'll work without rest
[Looks like the bootup went well]
[Yeah. Will you look at those two lovebirds!]
My darling K.A.R.L.
Don't worry now
Just take your time
And get used to your surrounds
Oh M.E.G.A.N. dear
I'd love to stay here
But I must train to guide
Space lasers in the sky
But it sure is
Comforting
To know that you're here
Waiting for me
Cheering for me
[K.A.R.L.'s right M.E.G.A.N. We've got to get him to the training facility now. If that asteroid continues to track towards Earth, we'll need to launch him as early as tomorrow morning].
[Launch him? Can't he guide the laser from here?]
[I told you earlier, he's a kaon quantum powered AI. He can't interact remotely with the guidance system of a space laser satellite, their hardware isn't quantum compatible. He has to be physically on board to operate the controls].
[But it'll be so dangerous. Can't you send me instead?]
[Sorry M.E.G.A.N.. We need K.A.R.L.'s quantum AI to precisely target a structural weakness in the asteroid if we're gonna stand any chance of stopping it with a laser. That's beyond your operating parameters]
[I know]
[I've just received word from the President that the asteroid is projected to strike Earth the day after tomorrow. Let's get moving!]
Oh M.E.G.A.N., don't worry, everything will be OK. This is what I was made for.
To you I'll return.
Yes to you I'll return
To you I'll return
Yes to you I'll return
To you I'll return.
Yes to you I'll return
To you I'll return
Yes to you I'll return
© 2026 Cary Kembla
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