Operating Parameters - Part 2

Posted on Fri 30th Apr, 2021 @ 1:46am by Sipov Boros & Candice
Edited on on Fri 30th Apr, 2021 @ 1:55am

1,209 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Business Not At All As Usual
Location: Crew Lounge, S.S. Torin
Timeline: MD08 1700 Hrs

If Sipov had known exactly how to deactivate her by voice he simply would've right then and there, but considering shutting down the system overall would require him to make his way back down to engineering and take a look at the manual it was possible she could simply force him to take a seat once more. For the moment the Vulcan decided he'd give this hologram a chance to say whatever it was thinking. "Okay, go ahead..."

"While most holograms you likely know of are not self-aware, I am. And try to remember that what I know and experience with you, the other three templates know as well, we're all the same system. Granted I am not a sentient being such as yourself but I am programmed with several protocols that allow me to self-improve and anticipate your needs so I can better serve you. Now if you want to simply treat me as nothing more than say that replicator over there, then fine. I'll ensure the ship is taken care of and my parameters are followed to the letter and do nothing more. You won't hear or see me unless absolutely necessary." The emotion in her voice, while a programmed calculation, could’ve been mistaken as real if he didn't know what she really was.

“Now on the other hand if you allow me some latitude to act in your best interest and predict yours and the crews needs you’ll find I can make this ship quite a welcoming place for anyone to be, so much so that you may even want to live here full time. While that may seem like a bit of an exaggeration, I can assure you it’s not. I’m fully integrated into the ships systems so I can tell what’s going on inside and out, scan you to check your health and determine how you’re feeling now. I’ve been able to tell you’ve been tense since the moment I was activated, guarded. You’re not the first person to feel this way but give it time and you’ll find I can be quite accommodating. We can discuss situations you find yourself in and I can give an opinion, I can ensure your bed is made every day, and that there is fresh food for you when you sit down to eat, prepare your favorite meal.”

Maybe having someone, or something, to cook may not be the worst thing while they were out doing cargo runs. The crews he’d been a part of in the past always jumped at the chance to eat anything prepared instead of replicated or sealed in a rations pouch.

She continued “I can provide entertainment and companionship; I’m programmed in a variety of social graces and can do just about anything from being at the airlock to greet everyone that comes on board to more intimate physical encounters in your quarters. I can be just about anything and everything you desire while on this ship and make your time here more comfortable. While it cannot extend past the confines of this vessel and we cannot form any sort of emotional bond for obvious reasons, we hold no obligations to one another beyond my hard coded parameters. While I do possess these capabilities, my programming does allow the freedom to choose to engage in the additional acts or not. I cannot be ordered or forced to provide such services beyond my base programming. In the event you or anyone else attempts to modify the code my entire program will decompile, and I’ll be lost forever.”

Adjusting the programming wasn’t something Sipov had considered, especially with the fact that he barely knew how to operate the holographic system with the most basic functions. “Well I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that, I’m nowhere close to an engineer and programming isn’t something I remotely grasp. Now looking at star charts, plotting courses, flying craft, and calculating trajectories, needed fuel, and travel time, those I can do. I have no doubt you can as well but just in case, my piloting abilities are up to task. And just so you know, I’ll be the one you can expect to see at the helm. I had the captains chair removed because the idea of sitting there and looking over everyone else while they work doesn’t sit well with me. I’d rather be part of the work force instead of just sitting there and waiting for something to happen. Plus, it’ll keep me busy.”

Setting one foot back down onto the floor and then lifting the opposite one to place up on his knee Sipov leaned back and got more comfortable on the couch. “As for you and your capabilities, start off easy and give it some time, it’ll take some getting used to letting you go and do things on your own, but provide me with a report daily of what you’ve done so I am aware and we’ll see how it goes. Start off with making sure everything on the ship is in top shape and configured to be as efficient as possible, I’d like to take the craft out for its shakedown cruise in a few days. That way we can test everything, and I can see how you perform. Plot out a simple course that’ll take about a day to navigate, say about twenty-two hours or so. That way we can get in a full day and night.”

She gave a nod “I’ve already been analyzing the ships systems and it’s likely everything can be done by tomorrow if you like, save maybe a part or two that needs replaced that I will order shortly. Otherwise I’ll ensure everything else inside the ship is unpacked and setup as needed. I’ll be ready.”

“I appreciate the efficiency, but I won’t be available to take the ship out over the next couple of days, I have a job to go and do, some mining. It’ll be my first run on the Nameless Grace and I’ve got some ore to find. If you have the time, I’d appreciate you mapping out some possible mining deposits based on recent surveys that I could go and check. I leave later this evening and if I don’t make enough money both you and the ship will be finding itself in the possession of a new owner. Just send it to me in the next couple of hours before I leave, if that’s okay.”

The opportunity to already be more involved was something that Candice (P) was glad to hear. “Very well Captain, I’ll have the reports to you shortly and the Torin will be ready.”

Sipov stood once more, this time slower just in case, pleased to find that she hadn’t made it a point to return him to his seat this time. “Alright then, I think for the time being we have things figured out. Watch over the ship and I’ll see you in a few days.”

 

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