Collaboration

Posted on 24 May 2020 @ 3:06pm by Ensign Kat Walker & Lieutenant Alexandra Dering

1,490 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Changing Faces
Location: Cargo Bay 2, Deck 27

Lexi felt badly about not having gotten down here sooner., but things had gone mad after the diplomats had arrived. She had been busy with other things -- ambassadors and their staffs could be very demanding -- and had not had the chance to take a look for herself. Oh, she'd gotten the report from Sabine about what damage was there, and she was now going to see if she could make some repairs. That was why she was currently pushing a hover-sled before her full of parts and equipment. But she still felt bad for not having come sooner.

She pushed the hover-sled into Cargo Bay 2 and looked around. "Kat?" she called to the AI. She knew that Kat had likely known she was there, but it was only polite to announce her presence. In her interactions with Kat, Lexi had quickly come to like the AI, viewing her as a sentient in her own right no matter what anyone said.

The walker lay there, in a heap, as it had been brought onboard. No repairs had been made, though it had been cleaned, showing the deteriorated and damaged paint job it sported. Most of the damage was superficial, with small impact dents from space debris being the most common. Though the rear quarter showed weapon impact damage, with some of the mechanics exposed and damaged, and a thruster shattered.

As Lexi approached and announced herself, the familiar hologram of the young woman Kat has chosen as her avatar flickered into existence, offering a smile in greeting. "Hello Lexi. It's nice to see you again."

Lexi grinned. "Likewise, Kat." She pushed the hover-sled over beside the damaged Walker and began arranging the tools. "I'm sorry I didn't get down here sooner, but with the diplomats and everything..." She shrugged, knowing that Kat was aware of what had gone on. "But I'm here now. Thought I might see if I could make some repairs here." Something occurred to her then, and she paused, looking back at the hologram. "How are you settling into the ship and crew?"

"I'm settling in well, thank you," Kat smiled, though she regarded the cart with tools and the preparations Lexi was making with a sense of curiosity. "I'm not sure repairs on the walker would be warranted. In studying this ship, its crew and its purpose, I've come to realize that a walker like this does not fit within the military doctrine. However, the Captain asked me to look for something else I would want to do on board, and I've come to enjoy the idea of being fitted into a Valkyrie. Of course, the Captain would need to give permission first, but I was wondering if you could help me with a feasibility study we could present to the Captain."

Lexi looked at the machine-and-tool-laden hover-sled then back to Kat. It pleased her that Kat had found something she would like to do, but admittedly, she had been fascinated to work on the Walker too. She grinned, though, at the AI. "Of course. I'd love to help you." Leaving the hover-sled where it was, she approached where Kat was standing. "What do you have so far?"

"Not much, to be honest. The exact technical specifications of the Valkyrie type fighter is still outside of my clearance level. But I've estimated the internal cockpit volume from observing it from the air, and could start work on designing an easily adjustable sled for my AI core that would fit in the cockpit," Kat explained. "From there on it would only be a matter of designing an interface that hooks up directly to the Valkyrie's onboard computer, by-passing the humanoid controls, giving me direct access to the flight and weapon systems. I would also need a direct power supply. Likely the pilot seat and humanoid control suite would need to be removed to fit my AI core and interface sled."

Lexi listened carefully to what Kat was saying. As Chief Engineer, she had clearance for the VAlkyrie specs, but she could not give them to Kat. Not yet, anyway. However, she could begin with things that didn't require that. "Well, since the humanoid-interface systems and chairs, etc. would not be needed, they should be removed anyway," she noted. "As to a sled to move your AI core, that should be easy enough." She grinned, a playful note entering her tones. "Unless you want it to do something unusual."

"I believe it prudent to just make sure it would be functional first, before thinking about added functionality. A modular, removable system might be nice, though that would be useful for maintenance purposes only as installing me in another vehicle would require a complete redesign of my interface and support systems regardless," Kat mused. "Here is a list of the support systems and functionality my core requires and offers," she added, showing a holographic list of specifications with the wave of a hand.

Lexi resisted a chuckle at Kat's literal interpretation of her tease. That was something that would come with time, she was sure, being able to discern between the two. For now, though, she looked at the list hovering before her, leaning hip-shod against the Walker unit with arms crossed over her chest and one bent at the elbow and hand on her chin in a thinking pose. "This is a very complex system, but I'm sure the two of us can come up with a workable plan." She removed the hand from her chin and traced her index finger along lines of text in the holographic display as she thought about them. "The main problem I'm seeing right now is that we can't fully collaborate because we can't both see the Valkyrie schematics. Maybe I should talk to the captain about that first? Get us both working from the same blueprints?" she suggested. That's going to be an... interesting conversation.

"I was thinking maybe a modular system. A sled made to conform to the internal volume and shape of the Valkyrie cockpit. I believe I have a reasonable approximation of that shape on file based on scans during a fly-over," Kat explained. "I could start preliminary design work on that, with your help. Cradle for my AI core, interface systems to translate light based AI function to Starfleet technology compatible electrical impulses, without going into technical detail concerning the Valkyrie's onboard systems, a power supply for my support systems, things like that," the AI mused. "I'm sure a lot of preliminary work can be done without needing to look at classified systems."

Lexi nodded. "You're right, of course." She chuckled softly at herself. "Sorry. Sometimes I get a little overeager." Pulling her small anti-grav sled off the bottom shelf of the hover-sled, she set it on the floor. It hovered two inches off the floor. She glanced at Kat. "Hey, Kat. can you generate any other images except for your avatar? I mean, like if you wanted to sit, could you generate a holographic chair?" Part of the reason for the question was curiosity, and another part was that she didn't want to be rude and sit while not ensuring the other lady could too if she chose. Oh, Lexi knew that Kat wouldn't fatigue the way biologics did, but it was still polite to offer.

"I can project anything that I have files on, limited to a certain size and level of detail as defined by my projector's resolution and projection envelope," Kat explained with a smile. By way of demonstration she gestured to the floor, where with a shimmer a holographic chair would manifest for her to sit on, crossing her legs and folding her hands in her lap elegantly.

Lexi grinned. "That was actually what I was looking for." She moved the small hover-sled she used for scooting under consoles and into/out of small spaces over next to the holographic chair and sat on it, also cross-legged. Realizing that the chair was taller, she keyed the controls, raising her small platform higher off the ground until the two women were sitting on an even level with one another. "There. Now we can work on this more easily. Maybe we should begin with the sled and cradle? After all, if we can't get you into the craft, the interface would be meaningless." Oh, she was fairly sure they could do it; they were both very intelligent. It was just a logistics question.

"The power draw to operate my AI core and direct support systems at full capacity would be the main problem to solve, I think. Unless the Valkyrie's onboard power system has sufficient overhead to be able to provide a continues seven-point-five kilowatts," Kat mused, indicating that part on her list of requirements.

Together the two of them worked on preliminary designs for a modular sled like cradle.

/ Off \

Lt Alexandra Dering
Chief Engineer
USS Odin

&

Kat Walker
AI

 

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