Posted by Lieutenant Allison Scott (Pediatrics/Assistant Chief Medical Officer) in Main sim- Briefing Room

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Brad Walker (Chief Of Staff/Second Officer) in Main sim- Briefing Room

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Amari Brooks (Executive Officer) in Main sim- Briefing Room
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>
At the table, Rico held Ally’s hand firmly. Normally this would have been a sign of affection and protection, but for now it was because with their hands still handcuffed together from losing the key to Rico’s antique handcuffs, they hadn’t had time to undo the lock without damaging the historical pair of cuffs. “The Ogawa isn’t equipped with holo emitters outside the holodecks or Medical Bays,” he stated, “and one of these things walked through a closed door in the psych offices. How are these ‘programs’ maintaining form and how are we going to contain them unless we can trap them in a force field?”

Lt Vanhall, CoS

“So use a computer grenade of some sort,” Ally threw out. “Like defibrillation to a beating heart. If we can send them into a computer version of a heart attack we can revive them on our terms. I agree with Dr. Marshall. Computer programs for all intents and purposes can act human but they are not bound to the same rules of morality that we are. Yes yes,” Ally attempted to raise her had to fend off the ‘all life is sacred’ speech she was sure was brewing somewhere but felt the weight of Rico’s hand made her rethink the gesture. It was going to be hard enough to explain why they couldn’t be separated. Everyone over the age of consent was going to know why she and Rico were wearing them so it was best to avoid a question she didn’t want to give a reply to. “We can talk all day about respect for new life forms but that life form tried and succeeded in killing someone,” Ally let the sentence weigh heavy in the air. “Peaceful doesn’t mean we roll over and play dead.”

Lt. Ally Scott Medical

Willow listened and as both Rico then Scott spoke felt her eyes drawn to their hands. Were they…attached somehow? She raised an eyebrow but considered a moment. Why werent they attached…it was apparently a soap opera here afterall today and if she had been watching the drama of two officers being stuck together she would have been rivited to the holo screen.

She cleared her throat. ” You all make excellent points but…as i said i do not think it will be that simple. I am not convinced that they are computer programmes. I think they are alive, other and somehow connected to this region of space…” she let that idea trail off and looked around the room.

“We have a few issues right now. First of all we need to work out how we ended up in this subspace pocket and more importantly how to get the hell out without ripping ourselves apart.” She looked at Both the CSO and CE ” Chief, Tressex id like you both to work on this issue and report back your ideas as soon as possible.”

“Secondly…we have a dead body and i want to know exactly what happened and how he died. Doctor Walker, organise and autopsy and find out. The rest of the ‘people’ for lack of a better word are in primary sickbay…Doctor Reeze…you are an expert on human behavior, lets see if you can get anything out of them and if they are alive or what they are. Our DRO might be of some use there too.” She said looking at each officer in turn.

“I will try, but sentient isn’t something I can just do as easily as waving a wand. Programs can be created to mimic thoughts perfectly, and react perfectly. It’s why people have debated on subjects such as Data and The Doctor from Voyager for years.” Jonathan said as the thought of just able to prove something’s sentient state wasn’t some easy task as they seemed to think it might be.

Brad nodded. Of course, that’s what he was about to start before being called up here.

“If it helps, I’m pretty sure we already recovered the murder weapon, since it was left in our Ensign’s chest,” Brad said

Glacing at Rico and Ally again Willow fought a slight smile “You two since you make such a good team, would you both mind rounding up the missing one in the triage deck and esorting them to.Primary before security continue with their investigation.”

Rubbing her temple absently with her right hand she added. “These people think they are in a episode of starbase hospital…it may be worthwhile reading up what the computer has to say about the soap and preparing yourselves for the unexpected. Also if easier perhaps we will need to play along as it were to get our answers.”

Willow Taylor
CO

“So see if someone wanted to stab the Lt. Losa character, and pray it’s not one of the five we’re hosting as guests?” Brad asked.

OOC: Though having read the thread with my SH counterpart, I doubt we’re that lucky…

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

Willow nodded, “Exactly that. They may be looking at us to react the way characters would normally. If we insist they are others or we are it may confuse them and close down any sort of forward moving conversations.” She shrugged slightly. “So lack of a better term let’s play the roles and see where it takes us.”

Willow Taylor
CO

Commander Brooks listened quietly as those around her offered their opinions. The bottom line was that it didn’t matter whether they were holograms, physical beings, or holoprograms… if they were sentient, then they were honor bound to protect them.

“The captain is absolutely right,” she began, “these ‘beings’ believe that they exist in a universe separate from our own. However, we know that that universe was created by someone from our universe. It’s a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end.” Preferring the classics such as Moby Dick, Harry Potter, and The Cowardly Targ, Amari found holosoaps to be droll entertainment with uninspired dialogue and convoluted plots, however, it appeared that, like it or not, they were smack dab in the middle of one. “If we play out this story line, then maybe we will reach the end and be free from this bubble or whatever it is we are caught in.”

“But whether or not they are physical creatures, holograms, or figments of our imagination, they appear to be sentient. Until it is proven they are NOT sentient,” here she turned to look at Lieutenant Scott, “then they will not be harmed, imprisoned without due process, or denied any rights that are afforded to any other sentient beings.” Her words were stern intentionally.

After so many years breaking terrible news to patients at times Ally had learned the doctor’s poker face. It was the blank, neutral expression that belayed no hint of her true feelings. Inside was a different story. Internally Ally couldn’t help but shake her head at the situation going on around the table. Whoever these intruders were they were not held to the same guidelines at the Ogawa crew. They were free to molest and murder the crew but the Ogawa crew was supposed to take it using harsh words because the intruders were sentient? If they were sentient then they should know that murdering anyone was wrong. Ally wondered briefly if the XO would put in the letter home to NE Hart’s family something like Mr. and Mrs. Hart, we are so sorry for your loss but we valued the prime directive over your son’s life so gave them the benefit of the doubt after stabbing your son because Murder is okay and we don’t go against the prime directive. The thought was harsh but the idea that Brooks thought Ally was going to go on a bloody rampage to exterminate them because she suggested that the first course of action was protecting the crew first was sheer lunacy.

“If this is a story that we are participating in, then let’s go over the plot points so far. Then we can figure out where to go from here.”

Knowing the typical plot lines for soap operas Ally could not resist some mental comments. Oh Oh Oh me me me, Ally mentally raised and shook her hand. Let them kill me as a diversion. Put me in a lab alone and dim the lights. Make my communicator be on the fritz so I can’t communicate with anyone. I would love to be unknown doctor killed in part two where the pivotal action takes place. I’m blonde and the blondes always go first. I can do the cough cough sputter sputter grab a table full of crap and pull it down around me as I drop to my death as good as anyone, she filled in the rest of the conversation in her head while maintaining a look of pure attention and respect for the authority figures on her face. That was what one did when someone else’s neck was shinier than yours.

Lt. Ally Scott Medical

-Lt. Cmdr. Brooks, XO

“For that,” Brad said with a sly grin, “We should turn to the ‘Starbase Hospital’ expert in the room.” He looked at Willow.

“And with that, I’m off to start that autopsy. Let me know if it was the butler or at least his estranged sister who’s been presumed dead in a shuttlecraft accident for the last 20 years but all of a sudden turned up with a new face, a grudge and a brace coil to grind… or bury in his chest,” he said, rising from the table and making for the door.

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff
Also Knows Way Too Much About Soap Opera Storylines

Jonathan couldn’t help but feel a dull roll of his eyes coming at all of this. Sentient or not this wasn’t just something you like put your crew and ship at risk. Why the hell would we treat a threat to us any different if someone was possibly sentient. Klingon raiders are sentient but you can bet your ass we would kill them and defend the ship if they tried to attack us Jonathan thought as he got up from the table. He had his task and he was going to do it but he didn’t have to like the concept of keeping them at risk.

Reez, CoP