A Major Issue
Posted on Wed Feb 21st, 2024 @ 7:20pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Major Cornelius Tremble
Edited on on Wed Feb 21st, 2024 @ 7:31pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Corridors - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD004 0700 hrs
Neil yawned and brought his left arm up to and pulled the elbow against his chest, stretching as he walked. He’d spent enough hours in his office to make his evening run something to look forward to.
Then he had some light reading on the combat tendencies of the Kulla pirate gang as they prepared for the Cure’s first Red Team mission. He needed to get ahead of that pitch before they arrived at the Acom Nebula. The timer on his HUD was winding down and urged him to quicken his pace slightly in order to arrive at the proscribed time.
The past day or so had been just horrible for Tyler. Things just seemed to be going from bad to worse. Add to that Kat was in the irritability phase of her pregnancy. With all the crap that had been heaped on him lately, Tyler did not want to be on duty, and he did not want to be at home. So, he found himself wandering the ship aimlessly. Usually Tyler would be greeted by crew members that he would see, however, now with the permanent scowl on his face, people seemed to avoid him.
When he turned a corner Tyler saw Tremble going about his run. "Major... Walk with me we have much to discuss." The tone of Tyler's voice not only showed this was not a request but it seemed like there was an ulterior motive, something just not quite right.
"Aye aye, Commodore. Something afoot?," Neil kept his tone light as he dropped into a walk, canceling his timer. "You're right about discussions...I have something to kinda ask you that you're probably not going to like."
Tyler had a speech prepared. He did not like the state of the crew, things seemed too lax, too lazy. It was the XO's job to make sure the crew was on their toes, and as Tyler saw it Neil had been remiss. However, this mention of something he was not going to like took the interest of both Tyler and the thing that seemed to take up his consciousness. "Well then I tend to like bad news before good. So, what is it that I am not going to like?"
"You're aware of my friend that wrote my gym program? Well he, along with some talking heads at BuAdvTech are looking at a AI yeoman system, loosely based around the Holo-Doc programs. They decided I'd be a candidate to test the system. I started reviewing it yesterday."
"Bonehead move if you ask me. A Yeoman has to be a living person, someone who you can bounce ideas of off. A holoprogram simply will not cut the mustard. I am guessing that you are seeking forgiveness rather than permission. Seeing as I was not consulted before the installation of this program." Tyler seemed exasperated with the whole thought of this. "What will this hologram have access to?"
Neil eyed his CO for a moment then said, "Right now it's in a jug. Limited, read only access to incoming data: both from the ship and what I get thats unclassified and departmentalized." Shrugging a bit, he admitted, "Yeah, I thought I'd take a look at it and see if was something I'd want to use. At first blush and knowing how you feel, I was going to just pass. But then I had certain truths pointed out to me about spreading myself thin with so many oars in the water. The deciding factor is that the Corps is reviewing a limited AI being added to the EAS-Suits."
"Adding an AI to a suit that houses a living person in life or death situations is crazy. Suppose that AI goes rouge it is known to happen countless times. Suppose it simply decides to kill you and turn off your air supply. This is beyond crazy, we have absolutely no use for any artificial intelligence." Tyler had crossed and stood behind his desk. His eyes were wide and scanning as if he searched for something. He seemed to be rambling and sweating somewhat. If one did not know any better one would think that he was in the midst of an attack of paranoia.
Neil's contact picked up Tyler's shift in biometrics and he made sure the link recording that data was working, as he met his CO's eyes calmly. "Maybe. But the brass hats seem to think it'll be more of an aid than not...and ensure of the suits recovery if something does happen to the person inside."
He gave it a few beats but knew he couldn't sugar coat it. "Regardless of if they're dead or alive. The EAS's are valuable kit and the Corp isn't keen on losing the tech. An AI or full on self-destruct mechanism may be out of our hands as far as the Admiralty is concerned. I'd like to finish my analysis of it's usefulness, but you're the Captain, Commodore."
"You are my Number One, but you are also in command of a Marine unit. This was one of those times that were discussed when you became XO. The Corps has issued you an order that I disagree with, and I cannot circumvent it. Finish your study. However, none of these AIs can have access to the sensitive systems of this vessel. That is not until I read your report and make a decision." Tyler sounded somewhat rational however, the paranoia was still in his voice. It was as if he wrestled with more than one problem.
"Full safeties, read only mode. Aye aye, Commodore," Neil said, relieved Tyler wasn't putting up more of a fuss.
In Neil's experience, more rank often meant more fussiness.
He'd have to keep that in mind.
Looking his CO over, he asked. "Everything ok, skipper? You're looking a little stressed."
A few grunting sounds and false starts came from Tyler's mouth as he thought to answer. A battle raged in his head and it seemed that he was losing. "Yes... I am fine. Nothing to worry about. Colonel Patton is en route have Lieutenant H'ros ready to brief him when he arrives. Unless it is a dire emergency I will remain in here and undisturbed." His speech picked up in pace, he was pacing around his office. The paranoia now had its full hold. The Commodore was well on his way to being out of the way for Malificus.
Neil eyed Tyler silently as the CO's bio signs began to stream in his HUD. They'd entered Tyler's office and looking around he picked up a few signs that something was off. Tyler's desk was almost always cleared. Now, however, a few PADD's scattered about and he noted a few things were askew, as if the normal cleaning and maintenance had been rushed.
The XO had no idea as to why Patton was coming aboard but he could find that out. "In your office and undisturbed. Aye aye, Commodore. Sounds like a project. Anything I can lend a hand to?"
"With me... No... But Lieutenant H'ros has been tracking a Romulan Warbird. It left Poseidon Station shortly after us. Information about that ship is what the Lieutenant has been gathering and the Colonel wants." The words came fast as if Tyler sought to shoo his friend and XO away. Why won't the simply leave me alone... he thought. However, those thoughts were interrupted by another voice within him. You can kill them all. It would be easy... Two words... Self Destruct... Then you would be left alone.
Neil frowned.
"A warbird, Sir?" Neil asked. This was something else he was hearing for the first time. "I'll." He caught something in Tyler's eyes and the Commodores voice and changed what he was going to say. "I'll get up to speed and check on the Lieutenant's progress. Tyler, if something is going on you just have to say the word. I've got your back..."
Oh! Do you? Or is it that you want to take over the ship and make it your own. Tyler thoughts had become fully consumed with paranoia and ideas that everyone would try to take his ship from him. "Yes check in with the Lieutenant and make sure that he is ready for Colonel Patton's arrival."
Neil watched Tyler's eyes and said simply, "Aye aye sir." After a few beat he said, "Was there anything else, Commodore?"
"No that is all Major. You are dismissed..." Tyler rarely ever used the dismissed order. However, at the moment he was entirely distracted and lost to what was in his head.
Neil turned on his heel and moved from the office. Once he heard the door cycle shut, he moved a few paces down the corridor and paused. He quickly ran through the various security monitors that were present and then moved toward the lift. He was alone as the doors cycled shut and made a decision he thought he'd never need to make. "Computer. Command override. Direct transit to Marine Country."
A Joint Post By
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Major Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Commanding Officer, The Cure
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