These alien concepts

Posted on 14 Jun 2020 @ 3:35pm by Ensign Kat Walker & Lieutenant Sovok

2,121 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Changing Faces
Location: Sovok's quarters

"Lieutenant Sovok, Do you happen to have some time to talk?" came Kat's voice over Sovok's comm badge.

"Of course, Miss Walker." He responded in an even voice. Sovok was in his quarters amidst a regime of Vulcan yoga. Clad in the simple grays of a tight yoga outfit, he responded further. "I am at your disposal."

It was quiet for a fleeting moment before the answer came. "Where shall we meet?"

"My quarters is fine if you can translate your projection here. If not, I can make myself available to a location of your choosing." He said in a polite but calm tone.

"That is one of the things I wished to talk about. I will come to your quarters." Kat replied. It wasn't long before she announced herself by ringing the chime.

Sovok raised an eyebrow at the artificial intelligence's statement. "Curious." He thought to himself before he steeled his visage and opened the door, presumably for the life form known as Kat Walker.

She was subtly different from how he'd seen her before. No obvious changes to her hairstyle or outfit or anything like that, but she seemed just a bit smoother in her motions, and the projection itself seemed to be a little bit higher definition. She offered a soft smile as Sovok opened the door and spoke. "Hello Sovok. Can I come in?"

"Of course." He said as he dipped his head to the feminine projection and gestured for her to enter with a step back and a wave of his arm.

Sovok's quarters would be considered dull and bland by most humanistic tastes, but to those who study feng shui, the room would appear in perfect flow and balance. Artistic expression mixed with minimalistic design. The room had some color to it, but not overly so. It was tasteful by Vulcan design, and at the center of it, a display of Sovok's many Starfleet uniforms over his decades of service.

Kat stepped inside, taking a moment to look around, then another moment, and another, before finally speaking. "This is the first time I've seen personal quarters from the inside. Are they all like this?" turning to face him as she spoke.

"While each of the crew quarters are of similar design and shape, they are outfitted uniquely by the expressions of those that reside within then, but I can say with a reasonable certainty that my quarters are unique in design. Most on this vessel do not share my....aesthetic tastes." Sovok explained.

"It's all very strange and alien to me. I'm studying the Federation's officer's course and it talks about things like privacy and free time. And you speak of aesthetic tastes. I have very little concept of any of that, and it's confusing me," Kat spoke, her voice quiet.

"Think of it as the same expression you use to create your avatar. Why did you choose the things you did?" He said in a patient, quiet tone. He seemed perfectly comfortable expressing the topic.

"This avatar is an averaging of the likeness of the most common race of people present at my awakening, with a bias towards the female as they seemed smaller and softer of voice, therefore less likely to provoke aggressive response." Kat tilted her head a bit. "Finally a pass to smooth out the form and balance proportions. Pure logic and numbers. I could just as easily have chosen a male avatar and voice."

"There is logic to expression as well." Sovok began. "We biological beings have patterns in which we live by. They are shaped by our experiences. It is the foundation of who we are as individuals. Whether in grand gestures like art or the manner in which we walk, in every aspect of life for us, there is expression. This room is no different. In this room, I express things I enjoy; my past, a clean, open space, room to meditate and perform stretches, as well as keeping it all pleasing to the eye. As for your avatar, some might have seen the male more pleasing. Just as in this room tastes can also apply, even to sexuality."

"I am not a biological being, though. And it's that innate desire to express and understanding of what to express that I lack and that puzzles me," Kat explained, her words measured. "I would not know where or how to begin. And yet, part of me believes that it would be, on some level, expected of me. I certainly believe that doing so would promote a greater ease of interacting with biological beings."

"There is no expectation of you to express, Miss Walker." Sovok began evenly. "From the outside, you appear to be doing so already. A novice would think your avatar was chosen for beauty, it it certainly is that. Without knowing what drives you, they could never know you do not express in that manner, and a life free of expression is no more valuable than one that does."

"There is no expectation that is admitted to, written off or spoken about. But I have found that many people on this ship have expectations whether they admit to or not," Kat countered, her voice measured and calm. "When I pass the exam and become an Ensign, I will be assigned quarters. Quarters I cannot live in with my physical form but that could serve as a home for my roaming avatar," she motioned to herself. "Do you not think it would raise suspicions if I did not decorate said quarters?"

"I do not think it would. Your quarters are your own to do with as much or as little as you please. Miss Walker. And if you feel like you need some decorations, and lack the drive or understanding to make them, I would be happy to assist. You know, there was another being like you who went through a similar journey, though I believe he was programmed with more emotional depth and a drive to become more biological in his mentality than you possess. Of course, these are brute assumptions, but it may be beneficial for you to research this man."

"I believe you are speaking of Lieutenant Commander Data. It - ... saddens me that I could not have met him before his passing," Kat admitted. "From my understanding he struggled with very similar things that I am struggling with. One difference is, as you noted, that I do not have a drive to become more biological, but one to better serve the biological. Which, to me, includes integration."

"I do, indeed. He was a very unique individual and the galaxy is less without him." Sovok took a moment of silence to honor the fallen android's memory. He never met the man but he read many papers on him and from him. "Tell me, Miss Walker, the four winged bird you transformed into and perched upon my arm with, why did you choose this form? What purpose did it serve?"

"To get around the ship easier and faster, without operating a human avatar beyond human biological limits," Kat readily replied. "Though I think you mean, why specifically a Microraptor, instead of any other appropriately sized avian," she furrowed her brows, pondering for a moment. "Microraptor fascinates me and reminds me a little bit of my own situation. A small predator in a world of creatures known for their size and mass, perhaps a little bit out of place. An early Avian, somewhat crude compared to what it would evolve in to later. I must admit I felt a sort of kinship with the creature, so I've adopted its form for my flight form."

"Logic would dictate that you travel around the ship at the speed of your holographic projector rather than in the image and limitations of a biological arian creature. Light and data transfer much faster than the vast majority of living creatures. Still, your declaration of kinship to the Microraptor intrigues me to your situation, for in essence, you have expression towards it. A feeling of kinship, and taking their form is expression, Miss Walker." Sovok spoke.

"I do travel at the speed allowed by my roaming projector, enveloped by my avatar. And I do admit taking a measure of liberty with the Microraptor model. It is theorized the creature was not capable of powered flight, but limited to gliding," Kat admitted. "Though I think you have given me a lot of food for thought on the subject of expression."

"I am happy to help, Miss Walker, and thank you for clarifying the limitations of your projections. I was unaware of them. Was expression of personal quarters the reason you came to see me today or was there another matter?" Sovok asked gently. Ever the learner, he did not mind being corrected.

"I am having trouble with the concepts of expression and privacy. But people do not seem to have reached consensus on how to understand and approach either concept, so I wonder if I am meant to fully understand them either," Kat admitted.

"Boundaries and personal expression are sadly subjective material. For instance, many humans might have not invited you into their quarters for fear of rumors of sexual misconduct among the crew. I fear no such rumors. Furthermore, you have been welcomed into my quarters while I wear my yoga attire, another faux pas among humans, but there are things we vulcans are a lot more private about than humans. We rarely speak of our feelings, or rarer, our intimacy. Humans confess love in grand overtures to entire mates. As I said, it is all subjective." Sovok explained.

Kat gave a nod. "That is another thing I have to try and understand. I have no sexual identity, need for expression nor do I possess gender. I am merely operating a female avatar out of a sense of logic but could just as easily operate a male one, or ungendered were I to pick an avatar that offers that choice," she elucidated.

"Sexual identity is not something that needs to be explored by you, though it is a fascinating subject. You are not driven by the same biological needs we are. Our species' survival depends on this urge less we die in a generation. Further more, there are many non biology aspects to it as well including identity, expression, and personal taste. For you, however, it is entirely optional. You may change what you look like on a whim, though I council caution on this action if taken too often. There is a illogical attachment to appearance from some people. It may startle the humans if you shift your avatar too often." Sovok cautioned.

Kat gave a nod. "That is why I haven't. I've found that integration works best when offering something familiar, or at least mostly so. But I do think it is worth at least trying to understand that aspect of biological beings even if I have no need for it myself, do you not agree?"

Sovok nodded. "Your logic is sound. What specifically would you wish explored?"

"Biological beings seem to be highly illogical, unpredictable and easily put on the defensive where this subject is concerned. I'll leave it to rest for now while I put more focus on understanding expression and privacy," Kat commented.

"Most could certainly use more logic in their lives, but there is something to be said for how they live. Despite my kind being born of pure logic, possessing strength, intellect, and technology that was far superior to humanity, they are now our peers, and in a lot of ways, our betters, though clearly not in the field of logic." Sovok mused evenly.

"Do not Vulcans employ logic in order to control emotions that are, compared to those of most other Federation races, quite potent?" Kat tilted her head a bit. "Or have I misunderstood something?"

"You are quite correct in your assessment of our mindset. My ancestors were violent, depraved, and illogical. We are freed of this through extreme training and logical focus. Perhaps being born of logic was the wrong analogy; being forged by it is more apt." Sovok admitted.

"It is nice to have someone to speak with who understands and values logic. At least that makes sense," Kat smiled softly. "But for now I have a lot to think about and try to make sense of. Thank you for your time and help, Sovok."

"I find our conversations enjoyable and agreeable, Miss Walker. I look forward to the next." He dipped his head in respect to the avatar but kept his expression plain.

She mimiced his gesture, dipping her head in return, before heading out again "Until next time we speak."

 

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