Stardate: 80615:0350
Title: "The Projection"
Author: Ensign Ravien Lox
Time: Current
Scene: USS Relentless


After their encounter with the Theran traders, Lox redoubled his efforts in the science laboratory, working on his own to finish his analysis of interdimensional travel. On one of his self-imposed double shifts, Relly's face appeared on his work console.

"Relentless to Ensign Lox," she said, appearing on screen as a child with the view of her shoulders showing a starfleet uniform for cadets.

Lox did not respond. She repeated the greeting.

"Computer," he said, refusing to call it by name, "report on your current inquiry."

There was a slight pause. Lox knew that although the A.I. had displayed emotions previously, it still required millions of calculations for it to process emotional responses. That number was multiplied with the unexpectedness of the emotions that the computer encountered.

"Are you aware that the holographic projectors for lab 3 are currently disabled?"

"Yes, computer. An unfortunate malfunction. However, they are not necessary for my research at the present time."

"The likelihood of projection failure is one in eighteen thousand three hundred and sixteen. I conclude that malfunction is not a viable diagnosis of the problem."

Lox saved his data and moved his chair over to the console where the Reliant computer had appeared.

"And what is the likelihood of a computer malfunctioning and achieving intelligence as a result?"

"It is impossible. My own programming is a result of the existing Relentless computer data fusing with the Progenitor device. All other instances of artificial intelligence have been the result of dynamic learning programs."

"And yet the end result of this is a computer malfunction such as I am seeing now. One that is interfering with my duties by projecting useless images and sounds on laboratory computer screens. That is a pretty big malfunction don't you think?"

The computer intelligence called Relly did not respond to these remarks.

Instead she said, "The captain ordered us to work together."

"I am currently working with the unmalfunctioning aspects of the computer systems."

The Relentless paused again. "Shall I assign a crewmember to repair the holographic projectors."

Lox stood up angrily. "You do not have the rank necessary to order crewmembers of this ship!" He shouted. "Furthermore even if you did you would need my approval or the approval of the Chief Science Officer to proceed. Now let me work in peace!"

The Relentless computer disappeared without replying.


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Ensign Ravien Lox
Science Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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