Stardate: 70418:0122
Title: Thank God for Help Files!
Author: Vaebn Kehn
Time: Current
Scene: The Sphere


Vaebn and his dedicated team had been busy for hours trying to figure out the computer system on-board the sphere. Vaebn had concentrated their efforts on the computer system and, in particular, the command center they currently occupied. Judging by the size and complexity of the sphere Vaebn guessed this wasn't the only command room. It had seemed that they were just a few short steps away from getting into the computer controls and having their questions answered. It had seemed like such an obvious choice.

Of course now it was several hours later, nothing new had been learned, and they were all growing increasingly irritated.

Computer systems are always invariably programmed with a security system and a help system. The team had already completely rewired the security system, but some corner of the computer's brain dedicated to 'tech support' was untouched and still responding to their random pokings.

Vaebn was climbing out of a service tube and bashed his head against the panel above the exit on his way out.

"God damn it!" He exclaimed in frustration as sparks flew from the panel. This was the worst moment yet in a mission that had already been more fun than a vacation on Risa.

And somewhere in the distant corner of the computer's brain, someone decided that enough was enough.

An elderly Vulcan with deep eyes and a defined, muscular face appeared before them.

"Surak?" The CSO blinked hard in disbelief. Perhaps he'd hit his head too hard. "What manner of trick is this?"

"Not a trick," it answered, "I have simply taken on a form that your mind can comprehend."

"Were you one of the builders?"

Surak raised a pointed eyebrow. "Let us say that I am their essence..."

"I see," Vaebn replied. "If that is true, then I have a few questions for you."

"I am here to help."

"First off, what are you and what is your purpose?"

"I am a holographic, interactive help interface designed to assist crew of Deconstruction Sphere 8 in the event of a major disaster," Surak explained.

"Do you or does this sphere pose any threat to the lives in this room, on-board the ship which is currently inside the sphere or on the planet?"

"We pose no immediate danger."

"You said 'major disaster'. What kind of major disaster?"

"Rapid conversion of large amounts of matter into energy or other forms of matter has been known to cause a severe chain reaction in which drastic gravimetric disturbances, caused by this sudden conversion, begin to bend space-time beyond its normal limits, causing ultimately a black hole or other anomalies to form."

"Can we use you as an interface to control the main computer?" Vaebn queried once more.

"Yes, I am authorized to give you command as you are the only life forms in the sphere."

"Thank God for help files!"

"Invalid command."


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Lieutenant Vaebn Kehn
Acting Chief Science Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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