There's a WHAT onboard?!

Posted on 06 Mar 2020 @ 7:31pm by Ensign Kat Walker & Lieutenant Madalene Sabine

1,609 words; about a 8 minute read

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

It was quiet in the cargo bay. The machine lay on its belly in its damage state, limbs spread at awkward angles, damage evident - severe to its rear quarter, less so all around. There was still other debris scattered around, not belonging to the machine. Two armed security guards stood by in silence, simply watching. And as the machine's sensors picked up someone new approaching, a hologram flickered into existence - that of a young human woman with steel blue eyes. She wore a Starfleet uniform of yellow, without communicator or rank pips, and offered a soft smile.

"Hello. I am Kat Walker. What can I do for you?"

Madalene just looked at the heap of machinery, the two guards and now the holographic projection. "Umm...hello. Lieutenant Madalene Sabine. Umm...who are you?"

"This projection is an avatar for the crystalline AI onboard the damaged machine." the projection motioned towards the machine. There was a slight intermittent flicker to the projection, hinting at system damage. "I have formulated this particular look to facilitate more comfortable interaction with the crew of the Odin."

Madalene nodded as she pulled out her tricorder and started scanning while keeping an eye on the guard, "Okay. Makes sense. So how were you damaged."

"I have no memories of the events leading to my damaged state. Diagnostics show extensive damage to all locomotive, communication and weapon systems, with light damage to holographic projection systems. Damage to the rear suggests an energy weapon impact, rendering me unable to move in space. I suspect I have been adrift in space for a prolonged period of time, leading to degradation and damage from micro-debris impact over long periods, explaining the damage to other systems." Kat explained, tilting her head a bit to 'watch' Madalene. Her voice was calm, pleasant even, with a nice rhythm to it.

"How long have you been active?" Madalene asked finding the readings intriguing. As she was looking at all the data she formulating a plan. "...your system is hmm...never seen a silica x quartz based core. I have read about slice used in cores but never quartz." Madalene said out loud not necessarily talking to the AI.

"I have no memories or records of activity before waking up in this cargo bay." Kat replied. She held up a hand, palm up, manifesting another projection - this time a cube, crystalline, a deep blue color, with thousands upon thousands of pathways etched into it. They lit up in sequence and rhythm with her AI activity, flashing a bit like lightning. "This is a representation of my AI core, an Evo 3 type crystalline core." she added. "Might I ask, who are you? What do you do onboard this ship?"

"Lieutenant Madalene Sabine, Chief Operations for the ship." Madalene said simply. "I am in-charge of our ships database, the lflow of data and overall power usage of the ship." Madalene said as she continued to run her own diagnostics and continued to formulate a plan.

"I see." Kat replied. "I'll let you work, then. Though if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask. I have detailed files on my own systems' construction." she added, thinking Madalene not interested in discussion by the nature of her replies, the AI elected to simply stand by for now.

"Could you put those detailed files up on these monitors?" Madalene asked as she used another monitor to start detailing what she would need for repairs and how much power she'll need. And trying to think if she could do this without calling an engineer.

"I'm sorry, I don't have that kind of access to your ship's computer. For security reasons, I was told. My apologies, Lieutenant Sabine." Kat furrowed her brows, tilting her head slightly. "But I could project them for you, if that would help." And by way of example she motioned to the side of her, where a schematic, holographic representation of one of her hip joints manifested, which then disassembled itself in smooth motions, becoming an exploded view with each part labeled.

"Hrmm....interesting," Madalene said as she read, "...how large is your spec data-packet?" Madalene asked thinking through several possibilities in her mind.

"Complete mechanical blueprints come in at - " she named a file size of decent size, roughly comparable to that of a small runabout. "That does not include operating software, personality sub systems or the physical AI core itself. I do not have files of sufficient detail to replicate an Evo 3 model crystalline AI core."

Madalene nodded, "...alight I need to hook you up with the ship but you are right you are a security risk. So...that means I need to make a computer core that is not attached to the ship." Madalene said talking out loud.

"Perhaps when the Captain is satisfied I am no threat I might be granted more access to the Odin's computer." Kat mused, folding her hands together in front of her, taking a relaxed stance. "Might I ask, why do you want me design specifications?"

"I would like to rebuild you. But I'll need to recycle some of your parts. Which means we need to a place to store your core while I work on your body. Hence we need something to you hold you in." Madalene said scrolling through of the ships design databases looking for the perfect thing.

"I see." Kat replied, remaining silent for a brief moment before speaking. "I could design a small power supply and interface cradle for my physical core, allowing me to remain active. This would include a holographic projector so I can manifest my avatar and interact with people. However, if need be I could shut down while you work and reactivate when all necessary conditions are detected. But, wouldn't the act of rebuilding me up to Odin's Engineering department? And would it need permission from the Captain?"

"Yes and yes. I'll speak with the captain first and I'll see if I can make you my little pet-project which'll make me project leader." Madalene said with a small smirk. "Could you put the specs of this small power supply onto this PaDD that way I can show the captain what we need to build?" Madalene asked.

"One moment, please. I will dedicate all available threads to designing an interface cradle." Kat replied, closing her eyes. The hologram flickered slightly as it remained perfectly motionless for just under a minute before moving again, eyes opening once more. She held out a hand, manifesting another hologram, this time of a cradle with an elaborate laser based optic fiber interface, a simply holoprojector, space for the crystalline AI core and a port for a power input, 2.5 kilovolts at three amps. "I believe this would allow my core to continue functioning and interacting at reduced capacity while work on my main chassis continues. I also believe that a power supply to these specifications should be fairly easy for you to supply, and would be enough for purposes."

Pulling out her tricorder she quickly scanned the hologram and moved that data to a PaDD making sure that the specs were identical to what she was looking at. "Alright. I'll be back I would like to get a yes from the captain as soon as possible and get working."

"Thank you." Kat smiled warmly. "Though I have to wonder, why?" she asked. "If I understand correctly you were not asked to by the captain and as Chief Operations this task would not fall within your normal work duties. I do not quite understand."

"...to be honest I couldn't tell you. But I do know that whatever happened to you I am sure you didn't deserve it." Madalene said simply.

Kat looked down for a moment, processing. "I don't know." She spoke quietly after a moment's contemplation. "My physical form was designed and built as a weapon, and the major damage is from a weapon impact. It seems to me that whatever happened to me is a result of me performing the role I was built for."

"That may be," Madalene said sensing a connection with this AI, "...but the way you are speaking sounds like you have learned remorse or something like it which means you can change."

"Remorse?" Kat smiled softly. "No. I do not regret fulfilling my physical form's purpose for existing to the best of my ability. It is, after all, what my physical form was built for. I do not remember what happened, or any details of who my allies or enemies were, as such I cannot regret what happened as I simply do not know what happened to begin with." A brief moment's pause as the AI avatar took a step closer to Madalene, contemplating her words.

"My behaviour as you see it is part of my personality sub system. It has the key words 'friendly', 'curious', 'helpful'. These key words dictate my personality profile and are hard coded. I could not change them if I tried." Another brief pause. "My physical form, the armed walker, is simply a tool designed to house and be operated by, a multi functional, adaptive AI core, capable of operating any suitable small vehicle."

Madalene nodded, "fair enough. Either way you lost your physical body and we have the resources to help rebuild one that fits you now not the past you." Madalene added.

"I do appreciate the gesture, and hope the Captain will allow you this project." Kat offered.

"Same here," and with that Madalene walked out of the cargo bay and headed for the captain's ready room hoping for a much better outcome than last time.

 

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