1 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:14,520 Speaker 1: Hello friends, and welcome to sleep Tight Stories. Thank you 2 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: to Aviana and Kai for suggesting the theme of this story. 3 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:24,479 Speaker 1: This is a story about a girl named Mia who 4 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:29,240 Speaker 1: was setting out on an adventure with her family. Mia 5 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:33,199 Speaker 1: is not very happy about this adventure and wishes she 6 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: was back home with all her friends. Mia is quiet 7 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: and shy and has not made any friends yet on 8 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 1: her journey. She is busy studying for her upcoming exams. Miru, 9 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: her companion, wants to help Mia and decides to try 10 00:00:54,360 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 1: a few things. Na and Miru. Mia sat alone looking 11 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: out the porthole sized window in the observation deck, looking 12 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: at the bleakness of the exterior. It was quite a 13 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:21,959 Speaker 1: contrast to when they first boarded and were undergoing the 14 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:27,400 Speaker 1: necessary preparation for the trip. Then she would spend all 15 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: of her free time fighting her way through the crowds 16 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 1: of people to be able to look at what was 17 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:38,119 Speaker 1: quite possibly the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. 18 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 1: Anyone had ever seen, she thought. Now that they were underway, 19 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: it was simply a view to nothingness, and she was 20 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: in the room alone. Everyone else had something to do, 21 00:01:56,240 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: something important, but all she had to do was either 22 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 1: sit in a classroom where she didn't talk to others, 23 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: or spend time in her cabin studying where she was 24 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:13,960 Speaker 1: just as alone. On board the Orion, they took a 25 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:19,399 Speaker 1: hybrid approach to school, some in class learning taught by 26 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 1: the one qualified teacher on board, and remote, which was 27 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 1: simply moving pictures and exams on her pad. Many families 28 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 1: had a droid companion for their kids, but she hadn't 29 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 1: been given one yet. I thought you were supposed to 30 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 1: be in your cabin studying for your upcoming exams, MIA's 31 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: father asked, as he walked into the observation deck. I'm 32 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:52,640 Speaker 1: just taking a break and enjoying the view. The exams 33 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: are boring anyway, Mia replied, somewhat more harshly than she intended. 34 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 1: I noticed some of your classmates in the cafe studying together. 35 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 1: They seem to be having a good time. Why don't 36 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 1: you go and join them, he asked, Because Dad, it's 37 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 1: not that easy to make friends, or to break into 38 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 1: a circle of friends that already exists. They all knew 39 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 1: each other before we left. I'm the outsider, she said, 40 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:30,079 Speaker 1: exasperated she had explained this before. Why did it seem 41 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: that her father didn't really listen to what she was saying. 42 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 1: You are being silly. You are not an outsider. We 43 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 1: are all on this journey together. You just have to 44 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: come out of your shell and introduce yourself. They are 45 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 1: all good kids. You don't understand, Dad. Would you like 46 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: me to introduce you to the group that way, you 47 00:03:56,480 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 1: don't have to, her father asked, trying to be helpful. No, please, Dad, don't. 48 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: That would make it even worse, Nea pleaded. Her father sighed, oh, okay, 49 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 1: but you need to study. The exams may not seem important, 50 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: but these skills you are being tested on are going 51 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 1: to be very important where we are going. Okay, I'll 52 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 1: go back to our cabin shortly. I'll see you at 53 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:35,799 Speaker 1: the cafeteria for dinner. Then, love you, her father said 54 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:40,839 Speaker 1: as he was leaving the observation deck. Love you too, Dad, 55 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 1: she said quietly. Her father just didn't understand. He was 56 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: someone who was comfortable in front of people. It was 57 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:57,120 Speaker 1: part of his job as the lead engineer and as 58 00:04:57,200 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 1: one of those responsible for many of the dis decisions 59 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 1: that had to be made. He was popular and loved 60 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:13,120 Speaker 1: meeting people. Mia was the opposite. She was quiet and 61 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 1: had a difficult time with people. She didn't already know. 62 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 1: It took her her whole life to make a circle 63 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:26,159 Speaker 1: of friends, but now that her family had left, she 64 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 1: had to start the process all over again. She missed 65 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: her friends terribly. Mia and her family were colonists en 66 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: route to a new planet outside the Solar System. The 67 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 1: WSS Orion, their home until they arrived in three years, 68 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:52,760 Speaker 1: was one of the largest ships of its kind, but 69 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:58,799 Speaker 1: it still felt small to her. There were few places 70 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 1: to hide from all the people on board, and Mia 71 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 1: felt being around so many strangers all the time tiring. 72 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 1: Most colonists these days chose the relative safety of Mars, 73 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 1: where there were already a number of settlements to choose from, 74 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 1: but her dad, along with a number of others, proposed 75 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 1: a different planet, far from Earth and far from her friends, 76 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:36,480 Speaker 1: and without the frequent shuttles to home. Once Dad sold 77 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,920 Speaker 1: Mom on the adventure and the idea of a fresh start, 78 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: there was little chance that MIA's objections would be heard. 79 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: Her little brother Mika, was on board when he heard that 80 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:57,799 Speaker 1: they would still be able to make ice candy. After 81 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,359 Speaker 1: leaving the observation deck, it was a short walk to 82 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: her cabin, where her studies were waiting for her. The 83 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: door recognized her, and she opened the sliding door. Their 84 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 1: cabin was one of the largest, with one large central room, 85 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 1: a greenery private washing room, and three capsules to sleep in. 86 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 1: The large table she used to study was just off 87 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: to the side of the seating area. Waiting for her 88 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:37,080 Speaker 1: was something unexpected. Hello, my name is Miru. I'm pleased 89 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: to meet you, Mia, the floating droid said in its 90 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: characteristically friendly voice. Miru was one of the companions that 91 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: many children were paired with on ship. Some adults had 92 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 1: one as well, but they lacked the personality of the 93 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:58,760 Speaker 1: companions that the children had. Miru was shaped like a 94 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 1: pumpkin with a small head on top. Hi, there, are 95 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 1: you sure you are in the right cabin? Mia asked, 96 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:14,120 Speaker 1: I am most certainly sure. I came online twenty four hours, 97 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 1: thirty four minutes and twenty three seconds ago, and my 98 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 1: first task after a complete diagnostic was to come here 99 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 1: and meet you. So you and I are paired, then, 100 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:33,200 Speaker 1: Mia asked, somewhat surprised. We most certainly are, Mia. I 101 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 1: have forty nine years, three hundred and sixty three days, 102 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: and twenty three minutes of charge left. I have your 103 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:45,359 Speaker 1: complete schedule downloaded into memory. You are preparing for upcoming exams. 104 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:50,080 Speaker 1: Shall we get started, Miru asked, skipping the usual small 105 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:56,760 Speaker 1: talk and getting down to business. It figures, Mia mumbled. 106 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 1: Other kids get a playmate, and I get a study mate. 107 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 1: Mia let out a big sigh and sat at the 108 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:12,320 Speaker 1: table and started studying with Miru. Though she wouldn't admit it, 109 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 1: she also wanted to lead all the other students in 110 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:20,320 Speaker 1: test scores. It was one way she could stand out 111 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 1: and be noticed without having to introduce herself. After fifty 112 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 1: minutes of study with Miru periodically asking her questions to 113 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:36,640 Speaker 1: ensure she understood what she was reading, Miru sounded a 114 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: satisfying beep. Time to take a break, it said. Research 115 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:45,040 Speaker 1: shows that it's important to take breaks, and it's not 116 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 1: healthy to sit all the time. I know, but I 117 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: don't like to break my concentration, which you just did. 118 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 1: Mia said. I'm sorry, Mia, but I have only your 119 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 1: best interests at heart. You stand up for five minutes 120 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: and do some simple exercises. How about I go and 121 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 1: make myself a green tea flavored drink. Mia countered, I 122 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: can do that for you if you'd like, Miro said, 123 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 1: with enthusiasm. I aim to please. I'm capable of pushing 124 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:27,360 Speaker 1: the button on the beverage dispenser. Mia grabbed her drink 125 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:32,200 Speaker 1: and sat back down to start studying again, reading no 126 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:37,440 Speaker 1: matter the topic. Even this boring survival science was when 127 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 1: Mia felt most at ease. World literature was her favorite subject, 128 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: and she could lose herself for hours reading stories, sometimes 129 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:53,120 Speaker 1: pretending she was one of the characters. But during this 130 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 1: school period, literature was given only a cursory look. Subjects 131 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: related to their continued survival on planet or given far 132 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:09,960 Speaker 1: more weight. Mia understood, but she missed the times she 133 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 1: got lost in a story. After another fifty minutes of study, 134 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 1: Miru sounded another satisfying beep. It's time for another break, 135 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 1: Miro said, Must we look. I need to do well 136 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 1: on these exams, and constantly taking breaks ruins my flow. 137 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: Based on my questions, you are scoring at a ninety 138 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 1: eight percentile on the material you are studying. You can 139 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:48,080 Speaker 1: benefit from a break. Ninety eight is not going to 140 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:51,559 Speaker 1: get me the top seat in the exam finals. Mia said, 141 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:56,319 Speaker 1: wanting to keep studying to keep getting lost in the material. 142 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 1: Would you like to go for a walk, give your 143 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: brain some time? To process all the material you have 144 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:08,680 Speaker 1: been learning according to the data, I have you enjoy 145 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:14,160 Speaker 1: walking to the observation deck. Why don't we go there? Fine, 146 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 1: Mia said. Walking towards the observation deck, Miro asked, I 147 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 1: see from the ship logs that many of your classmates 148 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: spend time together studying. Why don't you ever join them? 149 00:12:31,120 --> 00:12:36,679 Speaker 1: Were you programmed by my father? Mia asked sarcastically, No, 150 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 1: actually I was. Oh, I see. It will take me 151 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 1: time to understand your particular way of speaking. Miro said apologetically, Well, 152 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 1: you have over forty nine years left before you recharge. 153 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 1: You spend too much time alone. You should try to 154 00:12:56,920 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 1: make some friends, research says. I know what the research says, 155 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: interrupted Mia, but I find it difficult to make friends. 156 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: I'm quiet. I used to have a few friends until 157 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 1: mom and dad decided to be colonists. I would love 158 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 1: to have just one friend. I'll be your friend, Miro said, 159 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: thank you, Mia said. Mia had forgotten just how sincere 160 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:32,840 Speaker 1: companions were. You certainly don't waste time, do you? Only 161 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 1: forty nine years three hundred and sixty two point nine 162 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 1: three zero five five six days left before recharge? No 163 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: time to waste when they arrived at the observation deck. 164 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 1: Mia walked straight to the window. It's not much of 165 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: a view, Miro said, you are right, it's like looking 166 00:13:54,120 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 1: into black soup. But you aren't actually seeing that, are you, 167 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 1: Miru suggested. Mia looked at Miru for a moment, studying it, 168 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:12,880 Speaker 1: wondering just how it knew so much. You are correct, 169 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: Mia said, I see images of our departure. I see 170 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 1: memories of our life before and of my friends. I 171 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 1: think you have a bright future ahead of you, full 172 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:33,080 Speaker 1: of endless opportunities. You are smart and thoughtful, but you 173 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: need to have a little bit of fun and not 174 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 1: worry so much about the upcoming exams. The exams are 175 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 1: pretty important, yes they are, but you will be ready 176 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 1: and you might enjoy the process even more if you 177 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 1: had a little fun. Are you always this positive? Mia asked, 178 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 1: I am your friend and friends help friends. I have 179 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 1: an idea. Why don't you have a milkshake before you 180 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 1: continue your studies? Sure I would love one, but wait, 181 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 1: I know what you are doing. The only beverage dispenser 182 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 1: with milkshakes is in this area's common room, where my 183 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 1: classmates are studying. Are you sure my father had nothing 184 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 1: to do with your programming. I think my green tea 185 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 1: flavored drink is enough. Let's go together. You don't have 186 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 1: to do anything special, you don't have to change. There 187 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:41,359 Speaker 1: are all kinds of people in the world. Just be yourself, 188 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: but you should try to be present and see what happens. 189 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: And besides, milkshakes are your favorite? How did you know? 190 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 1: Miya started to say, but she knew the answer. What 191 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 1: made companions effective was their ability to know their friends 192 00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 1: so completely. Unlike the companions that were paired with adults, 193 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 1: who acted more like a second and more superior brain child, 194 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 1: companions acted more like a loving friend. With Miru leading 195 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 1: the way, they walked toward the common room that was 196 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:31,040 Speaker 1: situated in this living quarters unit. It was full of greenery, 197 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: entertainment areas, and treat dispensers. It was meant as a 198 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:40,920 Speaker 1: place for people to congregate and socialize independent of study 199 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:46,640 Speaker 1: and work. After they arrived, Mia walked straight towards the 200 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 1: dispenser that had milkshakes and selected Rainbow Flavor. Rainbow Flavor 201 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 1: was a mixture of different flavors including chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, 202 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:05,119 Speaker 1: and a cup others that Mia couldn't identify as she 203 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:08,640 Speaker 1: turned with her milkshake to leave, she heard the impossible, 204 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 1: her name being called, Hey, Mia, why don't you join us. 205 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:20,320 Speaker 1: Mia looked to see Tito calling her name. He was 206 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:23,760 Speaker 1: in her class and was very talented in art and 207 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:31,199 Speaker 1: physical fitness, which Mia found to be an interesting combination. Okay, 208 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:36,360 Speaker 1: Mia said very quietly as she walked towards their table, 209 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 1: feeling very nervous. We were just about to discuss the 210 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,800 Speaker 1: books that we have read, and I heard you used 211 00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: to study literature before we all got stuck preparing for 212 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 1: these exams. Tito said, literature and writing are what I 213 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:59,160 Speaker 1: love most. She said, well, have a seat, we would 214 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:04,159 Speaker 1: love to hear your thoughts. As Mia sat down, she 215 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:08,280 Speaker 1: could hear the positive beats and tones coming from Miru, 216 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:17,440 Speaker 1: which she knew meant that it was happy. And that's 217 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 1: the end of our story. Good night, sleep tight.