Debrief, Part 2

Posted on Sat 6th Dec, 2025 @ 12:59pm by Captain Gordon Francis & Commander Heriah Rex & Commander Paul Graves PsyD & Captain Izwyx 'Lo & Alidade (Computer)

3,254 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: [MAIN] From The Ashes
Location: Captain's Ready Room, Ops
Timeline: After "Let's Make This Debrief, Part 1"

-Previously-

"...as we determined at our first meetings on this topic," said Lieutenant Sufai Kell, "there are several we know of in existence, and some who even serve in Starfleet. The Medusans as a for instance, or the Phavans, Zalkonian transcendents serve in the Federation Council, We can help her to understand boundaries, but to ask her to be bound to a form isn’t right either!

"And let's not forget," Heriah jumped in, "that the Alidade entity has a mobile emitter that it can use to display itself outside of the Thunderchild. Within the ship, there are mobile emitters implanted throughout for the entity to display itself. Just like the EMH can display himself. So, it can have quarters, a roommate, etc. On top of that, the Alidade entity has a code that has taken up the entire partition of the Computer AI. And not just that partition, but the backup as well as the secondary backup, not to mention some of the partition for personal storage. To remove it from the Quantum Core and store it in a separate device that also has the processing power to process that much code all at once, we will need a mobile emitter the size of a proton torpedo. No do-si-do, captain," she said as she turned her attention to Gordon, "but we may have to accept the Alidade entity residing within the Thunderchild for the time being... or remove it from the core and house it in a separate core to run tests and study it further," Heriah added.

“SHE!” Sufai was loud without yelling, firmly announcing a world of personal opinion. “NOT IT. SHE. This is a first contact for what it matters at this point., If she is being charged to my care then I first have to insist on all of us using the same terms. Alidade is Sentient, and has an identity. Alidade has passed every test given, and has shown us to be responsible and caring for the lives of others. Why are we going in a circle on this? It is unethical to even have this discussion without her presence as she should have every right to represent herself. We do not get to decide her form, or how she presents herself, our ship tore her from her home, we have a responsibility to go beyond containment and research.”

Heriah nodded finally and sat back in her chair.

"Lieutenant Kell is correct, Rex," Francis said, trying to bring the intensity down a few notches. He looked at Izzy and Sufai. "On a lot of things, actually. First and foremost, she does have an identity, and that includes a gender. Let's do our best to respect that. Now, we've determined that Alidade has failed a test due to reckless misjudgment in operating the Thunderchild. We more or less agree she put the crew in great and unnecessary danger. We also agree that the situation as is needs to change. I think it's time to bring Alidade in, so to speak, and hear her side of the story." He glanced at Rex and Sufai. "And let's try to relax."

-Start-

Captain Francis hated the current climate in the room. There was plenty hostility over the test results of the being known as Alidade. He did not want this tension in the room when Alidade would appear via hologram. It would take a moment for the emitter to boot up the Alidade program. Francis turned to his private replicator and asked for, "Water, chilled." A glass of cold water appeared and Francis walked over to Lieutenant Kell and handed it to her.

"Cool down, Lieutenant," he said in a calm tone. "And ask to speak freely the next time you want to yell at a superior officer. I know your heart's in the right place, but if you explode like that in front of Alidade, you'll be drinking water in the brig."

Sufai felt her spine twist in restraint, the infantilizing offer was not for her health but to illustrate the difference in their status. She had her sense of "shut up" and took the glass without expression.

The Captain went back to his desk and added, "That goes for us all. Cadet Alidade needs to see that we are in control of ourselves and the situation. Any more drama is an embarrassment to us all, and I will not have that."

A second later, Alidade flashed into existence after a series of beeps from the mobile emitter indicating an incoming holoprojection. She looked about the room taking in blank expressions. If there was tension in the air, she certainly did not feel it, or perceive it, if she were to recognize it in the least. Alidad grabbed the mobile emitter from the deck in front of Gordon and, putting it on, stepped back to join her friend Sufai.

"Cadet Alidade, reporting as ordered," she said. Alidade stood perfectly still in the position of attention. There was not a wrinkle or speck of fuzz or a stray strand upon her uniform. She appeared immaculate and a shining example of Starfleet discipline. But, of course, she had not programmed her appearance to be anything less.

After Alidade came into resolution Captain Izwyx was first to take the reins, "Cadet, thank you for waiting it was important for us to compare our notes. This meeting is to discuss the performance of the test, not to issue punishment in any way. Please take my respect and sincere admiration for your being to mind as we figure out how to resolve a few important matters. We do not wish to harm you or cause concerns, but can you explain what you presume the reason was we aborted the test?

Alidade looked to Sufai briefly, then away and back toward the command staff. "During the trip back and while awaiting my summons here, I did peruse the Starfleet Regulation Guide," cover to cover and ten-fold, "and I understand that, only in extreme circumstances should any one individual be given full functional control of a starship. That one individual should be the CO, XO, or an authorized member of the command staff. Never should a cadet be given that authority. That alone should warrant a test termination. I do understand there was a concern for crew safety. I did take measures to ensure safety of the crew though I understand there was some...regurgitation." She flashed her eyes to Sufai again. "Outside of the comfort zone is oftentimes how members of the crew operate their best." Alidade had hoped that would be taken humorously, but there was but little response. "I was given what I quickly discovered to be an impossible maneuver. Impossible to be performed by the crew without extensive choreography and rehearsal. I knew it could be done and knew I could pull it off." She thought about the asteroid that broke up, causing her to adjust. "While adjusting to unexpected factors," she added.

Alidade did not make any mention about Sufai admitting that a biological could not pull off that maneuver and that she was sure Alidade could. Alidade had taken that as authority to take full control of the ship...her body...and make that maneuver happen. Full authority given to a cadet by a lieutenant. Alidade did not want those words to be spoken by her. So, she skipped that part.

"Despite no damage to the Thunderchild and no casualties," Alidade pressed on, "it is my belief now, that a work-around should have been considered and undertaken. The maneuver I performed needs to be performed by the crew, utilizing the holodeck for practice and rehearsal. Likewise, crew input, especially input by Bridge officers, needs to be regarded, and approved by the CO, before such a maneuver is undertaken again."

Alidade left it at that. Her final thought was that the reason for the aborted test was her given authority to take full control of the ship, or it appeared she was given said authority, by LT Kell herself. Still, Alidade did not wish to...throw her friend under the bus. A saying she was still attempting to fully understand, but this was neither the time now place for that.

Captain Francis was the first to speak. His tone was full of authority, and he did not take his eyes off of Alidade's own. "That's an interesting report, Cadet. You seem to have an interesting grasp on the situation. Now, as Captain Izzy said, no one is being punished. You're getting a free pass. So I'm curious to know, if we took disciplinary action today, how should we handle the actions of those responsible?"

Alidade flashed her eyes to everyone else's eyes that were glued to her. She restrained herself from looking to Sufai again. No help was going to come from her. Not from any desire of her own, but because the others would not allow it. Or, she felt as such. They wanted Alidade's own thoughts on this.

Never, in all of her existence, has anyone or anything sought her out for any consequences of her actions. A few weeks into her time in this 4 dimensional universe and...it was a time of many firsts. Though she knew the answer, Alidade also knew this captain of hers already seem impressed with straightforwardness, confidence.

The processing units aboard the Thunderchild were hammering away, performing millions of calculations in an attempt to predict the outcome of what she was about to express. Though the situation had been simulated a thousand times already, Alidade still had no conclusion and no way of knowing how this 'rhetorical' disciplinary action would play out. Still, she knew the regulation.

"Removal," Alidade said while allowing no more than a second to pass between her response and her captain's question. "Removal," she repeated, "of those directly involved. Clearly," she looked down at the floor but immediately lifted her eyes to Gordan again, "someone is not ready for...and they should face removal...for the time being." She did not know what it would mean to be removed from where she was, how she would be removed, if she would survive, if she would feel it, if it would hurt, if she would ever see or speak with anyone again.

Unbeknownst to Alidade, while she gave her response and, while the Thunderchild's processors were still pounding away in an attempt to solve this problem, she had taken all of a half step backward.

Francis removed his glasses and set them down gently on his desk. He wiped at one of his eyes and said. "Forgive me, Cadet, this ol' stallion isn't quite the bronco he used to be." He put his glasses back on, whatever discomfort he'd had seemed to have been fixed. "Please elaborate on 'removal,' for an aging war horse. If you can, focus on who we remove and where we remove them to."

Captain Izwyx shook her head slightly, looking to Sufai in apology. She then looked to the other Captain, "A Fishtank, as I have heard it called. And we cannot do that either."

"Agreed," Paul said. "Isolation is not the answer."

Sufai looked up suddenly, not expecting this, and Izzy continued, "Alidade, you will also need to hear that we are accountable for our actions. We were excited to see what you could do, and I issued what was to be a test of judgement. I saw that Lieutenant Kell was letting you control the ship, I advised her to perform the test properly, and she made no changes. That is her part in this. Ours is that we added a challenge when all we were supposed to be measuring was basic functions. That's what is referred to as "calling an audible," and it's not fair on your very first trial run. The problems we are facing is that when you put the crew into a passive mode, they grew uncomfortable sitting at darkened stations. When you exerted maneuvers they weren't ready for, and that they weren't part of the team decision to endure such discomfort, that they were simply pulled unwillingly into an admittedly glorious display of starship piloting that made them feel unsafe. Lt. Kell should have made a plan, come to a conclusion of the best course and proceeded as a crew would have, but Lt. Kell is not a command officer, this test was not a stress test, and we are trying to figure out how to best use your desires and skills best without compromising others. To that end, Lt. Kell, I'd like to hear your thoughts, before we all come to any decision?"

Suddenly mollified by her earlier behavior Sufai took a drink of the water warming in her tight grip and placed it on the desk. She finally met Alidade's gaze, "The Thunderchild's secondary Quantum core is entirely dedicated to her organic software, a brain nestled within a body. She cannot exist without a connection to it, and she cannot be removed from it. We have as an option to partition the core, and leave her isolated within, but his would be a prison for her, and unfit for an officer to endure. So I thought maybe we can fashion a mobile emitter within a vertiform robot giving her a body and single location of existence. This way we aren't trying to reduce her down, just her access to ship controls. On board Thunderchild, or anywhere with holo-emitters she can manifest, for other places, or for red alert situations she can use the mobile emitter and be free to explore from the confines of the ship."

Sufai spoke directly to Alidade, "You should also know, if Starfleet isn't your home that is okay, you won't be considered an enemy and won't be held prisoner, if you want to leave, to find your own way we will help you do that too. I will help you ok?"

Alidade nodded to Sufai. She looked to the captains, also with a nod. She even regarded Commander Rex. "I appreciate any and all help. Above all, I greatly appreciate this opportunity though I know me being the starship is not what any of us expected. Believe me, the past several weeks have been the most extraordinary. I never imagined the experiences of late. I understand the concerns of a sentient lifeform in complete control of the Thunderchild, but...lesson learned...I will not take on full control like that again unless that order comes from a high ranking commanding officer or if such control is agreed upon by a majority of authorized crew. Up to the point of my maneuver, I was performing all the functions the Computer normally would, relaying all commands. With the help of the quantum core, I even sped up the processes by a hundredth of a second. It is the mission of Starfleet to seek out new life and new civilizations. The incident that brought me here has allowed me, all of us even, to do just that. I like where I am and the situation I find myself in. I ask only further permission to continue as we have over the last several weeks."

Francis returned the nod. "I'd like to make that happen. I have my own reservations about you living in Thunderchild's computers, but until an acceptable alternative can be found, I think it's the only way."

Captain Izwyx was ready to take action, “There are already vertiform robots on station. Bikram Auden is a Lieutenant in Medical Sciences, oversees two teams of them. I think the answer here, is have him fashion a similar construct for Alidade to have a body beyond a simple holo projection. We can use our mobile emitter mounted within on a power supply to make that body tenable long term for living purposes, recreation, food, dance, the things we do with our bodies. Your full self will remain in the dedicated core, and if needed can still occupy the ship as a body as well. However I feel we will need to come to an understanding of “if and when” on that will be allowed to happen. This is something I could work with on Thunderchild, any suggestions from here?"

"Yes," Captain Francis said. "Talk to Commander Mindo, our new Chief of Security. He was a Chief Engineer before, a darn good one. He might want a part in this. I think he'd be very useful."

Alidade relaxed and smiled. They were not talking about her as though she was not there. And they were openly looking for ways to improve her 'living standards,' something she was already comfortable with but, likewise, did not fully understand herself.

Captain Izwyx took the baton from Francis, "Yes, Commander Mindo then. Thank you for your recommendation. Sufai I'd be thrilled if you were to continue on as the Thunderchild's Chief of Operations, your work with Alidade has been remarkable to date and I dont know anyone more suited at this time to continue to oversee the refit."

Sufai nodded, grateful at the offer. "Thank you Captain, if a transfer is permitted I'd love to come aboard officially."

Izzy looked to Francis and pushed a little further to get it done. "Next steps then, is a body, a bunk, and then will be you all coordinating with Alidade as a crew member and training with the crew to operate our new... Quantum Science Cruiser. I'll ask Utopia Planitia for something better. Captain does that plan work? We can try to field test again in two days time I think."

"Sounds like a plan, Captain," Francis replied. "I'd prefer the absence of Cadet Alidade on the next test, mainly to give your officers the experience of working without her." He looked at Alidade. "Cadet, I look forward to seeing you progress and grow, both as an officer and a living person. You have a fine crew helping you, especially Lieutenant Kell. I think both of you have much to learn from each other."

Alidade was unsure how she would be 'absent' on the next Thunderchild test, but, "I agree, Captain. On the next test, I will not go beyond what the computer is supposed to do. I too want to see the crew operating as it should. That would give me a better idea of what being a member of the crew means."

Francis nodded. "Good," he said. He looked around the room. "I'd like to bring this meeting to a close, but I want to be sure we've all said what needs to be said. If there are any remaining thoughts, ruminations, or other jibber-jabber, now's the time to say it."

Sufai raised her hand, meekly. "If I caused offense, I am sorry."

"Lieutenant, I appreciate your passion and drive in the matter," Francis said. "I'm sure whatever offense you may have caused is water under the bridge by now. Let's not speak of it again."

Heriah eyed Sufai briefly with an unreadable look that could be taken multitudinous ways.

Izzy took the helm on the conversation, "Yes, flowing mightily and such. Our next steps here are to get our Engineers working. Sufai You said 48 hours for another kettle test, let's do it. And let's circle around once Commander Mindo has a timeline for Alidade. I should expect a week at most, but this is outside my expertise." Eager to get started, she looked to Francis, "Will there be anything else sir?"

"Nothing further, Captain," Francis replied.

END

 

RSS Feed