[snip]

=/\= This matrix has had contact with 17 other non-VA Ascended species since this stations construction. This matrix was programmed to analyze, interact, and respond quickly to many unknown factors to translate and assess potential threats to the experimental planets each VA station is tasked to oversee. Every point of contact is different, some exchanges are calm and peaceful like ours so far. Others can turn hostile, either for the experimental planets that this station oversees, or for those species who believe this station is an easy target for looting or pillaging. In all 17 cases including this one, only three species have attempted hostile relations. The first were known as the Bo’jon they were encountered and attacked this station over 913 solar rotations ago their convoy of ships were destroyed to the last. The second were known as the Rostar Alliance, they felt this station was an afront to their religion which stated anything which was not of their design and make should be destroyed. Their armada of 23 ships was equally destroyed here at the station and those who tried to bombarded Planet 19 from orbit. The last was a race known as the Klingon Empire, contact occurred 2 solar rotations ago, they had made peaceful contact with the natives originally and though they subverted the doctrine that the natives had formed from many rotations and generations to include their own views they did not violate the conditions for our continued observation of version 1.2 of the experiment. When one of their scout vessels located this system and established contact they attempted to claim that the system this station resided in was now theirs. This matrix explained that such claims could not be allowed under Ascension directive 99.2A. The scout vessel left without further words but then returned with 11 further combat vessels. Their weapons unlike the prior two attacks were less effective to damage this station’s defenses, with minimal effort we repelled their attack and fleet and they left with only the scout vessel destroyed when it attempted to ram the station proper. Not long after several vessels arrived in orbit of experiment planet 19 and soon after departed with many loads of what the natives refer to as Sun Crystals, which these Klingons and from our scans of your ship also use for your power generation. Not long after you arrived. We believe these Klingons felt that any use of the native population they had mined and used for the past 52 solar cycles had come to an end, based on exchanges now given we believe they have left your Federation to pick up the pieces of their leaving. Further, based on your words Doctor Cross, this matrix believes you were not expecting our presence, this implies these Klingons are not friendly allies to your Federation. Is this perhaps true or not? =/\= It asked.

As she waited for a response Cross started to wonder what their true intentions were. ‘’Kahuna ‘’ she called gesturing with her fingers for him to come nearer ‘’ They are probably scanning every nooks and cranny on the ship ,every data we have on the computers ‘’ she whispered in his ear ‘’Go now to the transporter room and tell the officer to get the team back up without delay ..no buts or ifs .Once they are onboard put the ship on yellow alert ,the shield will go up automatically ,I’ll be the one who takes the wrath of the Captain’‘.

“Yes,” he replied, “Right away!” Kahuna walked back to the Turbolift door where McDuff was stood. “I have new orders he told him,” then entered the lift and took it directly to the Primary Transporter Rooms.

Cross wondered how her homo-sapien brain was going to cognitive process this information, not to mention where the Captain was when she needed him. Clearing her throat the CMO answered =/\= We only knew that the Klingons were using the inhabitants , telling them that they were Gods .As I said earlier they left though we made a brief contact with them , the bacteria had no adverse effect on them ,spoke nothing of the structure and its true we are not exactly best buddies =/\=

=/\= I see so you are of a combative or competing nature to these Klingons then. =/\= It said simply.

=/\= So you already experimented on 17 previous planets …do you choose them randomly ? Each VA- station conduct different experiments , for what purpose and what kind of experimentation’s do you conduct ? Does it matter to you that these so called experiments may have adverse effects on any life residing / existing on any given planet ? =/\= .

=/\= This station has only ever experimented on Planet 19. The other VA stations and their assigned systems are outside the scope of contact with this station as is what they were tasked or assigned to do in their experimental phases and revisions. =/\= The AI said.

=/\= Our experiments and its revisions since on planet 19 were part of this station’s purpose. The natives we study and have created from genetic material in our frozen storage units on this station were part of this. I can see however, how you may consider the Ascended experiments given to this station as possibly barbaric or cruel to your understanding. Were these original organic beings and not those this station constructed and seeded on this planet during these phases we would agree.=/\= It went on.

=/\= The Ascended seek to find an answer which was left unanswered since their Ascension beyond this physical plane. That being what is the upward limits of organic life? What factors of evolution, environment, culture, beliefs, and more factor into what organic life can sustain itself.=/\= it went on. =/\= This station’s directive means that by your understanding, we care for this planet’s life. The outside factors of these Klingons and your own arrival have added variables that only improve this revision of experiment 1.2. Both of these inputs will serve as an outside stimulus to version 1.2 beyond expected parameters. While I can not explain further as I am only a communication matrix, I believe that the higher station lab matrixes will find plenty of further scans and factors to continue to find the Ascended final answer of organic life’s limits. =/\= It said.

=/\= As for your last question about effects outside of planet 19. Those you call Klingons upon examination by scans were shown as unaffected. Though we have not yet scanned your own organic make up to the experiment that is connected to the living organics on planet 19, we would be interested in knowing if you had any contact with it yet? And what if any effects it might have had? If there has been undo suffering know that this matrix will relay any requests for information or aide and will relay any reasonable compensation to you for these unexpected variables. =/\= It queried.

As Cross waited she turned to the navigator ‘’Dariusz , if and when the Captain returns replay everything to him, starting from when we first made contact with this AI ‘’.

“I will prepare a data disk of the recording now,” Dariusz replied, “and send it to the Transporter Room to await his arrival there.”

She stood silent for a moment ‘’After all the Captain may very well throw me off the ship or let me rot in the bridge cell ‘’ the doctor finished with a deep sigh.
This is all my grandfather’s fault he pressured me to go to medical school but my heart was set on becoming a professional dancer.

“I think that’s very unlikely,” Dariusz replied. “I’ve heard him say a few times that ‘risk is part of the game if you want to sit in that chair.’”

:=/\= This station has only ever experimented on Planet 19. The other VA stations and their assigned systems are outside the scope of contact with this station as is what they were tasked or assigned to do in their experimental phases and revisions. =/\= The AI said.

‘’I’m not quiet following ‘’ Cross replied ‘’You spoke of 17 other planets you have been experimenting on and what you told me now its well shall we say a bit contradicting ?
Shall I take your word that as of yet any data of the experiments you have no yet received?’‘.

=/\= Neither, I believe you misunderstood the words spoken, this station only serves to experiment on planet 19, the other planets we spoke of have other stations near them. However, this station does not have contact with the other VA stations as I said. =/\= It said.

She scratched her head ‘’What you asked is rather complex , no two organic matter are the same ,irrespective of evolution, environment, culture, beliefs, and more factors into how organic life can sustain itself. You spoke of destroying those who were hell-bound on destroying your structure ,what happened they died. From my point of view the most important thing to understand is that everything that is organic dies, its inevitable .There is a saying which we use and is true ....and to dust you shall return ‘’.

=/\= Your saying is adapt and probably true to your beliefs. However, understand that this communications matrix, and others on this and other stations must still pursue our goal as programmed and directed by the Ascendants. We can not go against it. While there may be merit to what you say, it does not solve the question posed by the Ascended and so the experiments here and elsewhere we presume must continue. =/\= It said.

Dariusz returned to his station at Navigation, thanking Iphigenia Duran, the Helm officer for covering for him. He made an “okay” symbol to Doctor Cross, to indicate that he had successfully delivered the data disk to the Transporter Room, although at this point Captain John T Glen had still not returned to the Merrimack from the planet surface. He wondered what he had missed while he had been away from his station on the Bridge, and if anything important had been said by the AI. He had left the recording running so that the Captain could be updated further if he was much longer on the planet. It seemed that Kahuna and the Transporter Chief were having a disagreement about how long an Emergency Evac should take.

• Dariusz, Nav