Photonics and Logic

Posted on 15 Aug 2012 @ 4:04am by Ensign Varek & EMH Mark X-C "Shirley"

1,292 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo - Sickbay
Timeline: MD-08: 0320 hours

[ON]

The chaos in sickbay had died down, leaving only the soft beeping of the biobeds and medical equipment to break the silence. Varek stood off to one side with a hypospray rack before him. He was methodically categorizing and refilling the vials they had used from the medical replicator, organizing them with a quick efficiency that only a vulcan could muster. His sharp ears heard everything, even the breathing of the sleeping patient, and as he worked he listened for any sign of trouble.

The EMH, unlike the myriad of organic medical staff however, did not have to worry about falling asleep on the job, or being caught out by not hearing the cries of a patient through hours of overwork. Happily, he was sat in the CMO's office working through the kiloquads of data from the collective medical tricorders of his fellow doctors and nurses in order to best update the crew's medical records.

His auditory algorithms however, interrupted his processes as he could hear the noise of hypospray cartridges being jostled about. Standing up from the desk, he peered around the office door to notice the Vulcan medical officer who had assisted him only a short while before busy at work.

"Excuse me... but the situation is under control... you don't have to be here you know?"

Varek paused and turned around to face the doctor. "I joined the Galileo when you arrived at the starbase," he said, "as I have not been on duty, I am well-rested, and vulcans can work without sleep for several days. The medical staff is exhausted and some are dead. It would be logical to allow me to assist you."

The power of the famous Vulcan logic... something that would always be able to explain any situation regardless of how accurate they may or may not have been. The EMH of course, understood it from a very different level, having several texts in his database on Vulcan neurochemistry and brain structure, which was almost as confusing as the thought of a Vulcan with a sense of humour to most organics.

"That may be the case but most of our patients are either asleep or sedated... you must have other things you'd rather be doing? Social or recreational activities?"

Varek looked at the EMH in silence for a moment, then said, "Do you have social or recreational activities to engage in, doctor?" He turned back towards the hypospray tray and continued to sort the vials he had replicated. "I am also capable of monitoring sickbay and I expect you have had less access to personal activities during your time aboard than I have."

"Of course not... I'm a hologram not an entertainer... my idea of time off is simply when my program is deactivated and I'm dormant in the memory buffer... anyway, my program is tied into the internal sensors within Sickbay so if anything were to happen to one of our patients I would be activated automatically to attend."

"Be that as it may, doctor, there is plenty of work to be done here and I see no reason not to assist you. I do not require personal time at the moment and unless you object, I will remain. However, your concern is... appreciated."

"Appreciated? Mr. Varek that almost sounds like you are happy about the situation... although I'm sure you're about to tell me that isn't the case?"

The EMH replied as he collected a tricorder from the instrument tray that held additional data not yet stored in the main computer, and began setting up the interface to download it's readings to add to his report.

"Naturally, doctor," Varek said, "you must be aware that I am not affected by feelings of happiness. I am merely doing my duty." Finished with the hyposprays, he turned his attention to collecting medical equipment that lay strewn about the area. "It is unfortunate that the Galileo does not have a long-term medical hologram. You are very efficient."

"Efficient? From a Vulcan I can't think of any higher praise," The hologram replied with the beginning of a smile forming on his face as he finalized the uplink procedure and began transferring data.

"My matrix was designed for long term operation when required... however an extended operating time would be... interesting."

"It's been done before," Varek reminded him.

"Really?" The EMH replied with an increase in tone in his voice. Although his program had always been designed to be adaptive in nature, it still suffered from limitations stemming from the matrix required to support such a complex program, learning more however, would be interesting.

"Please, tell me more?"

"Doesn't your access to the ship's database include mention of the EMH of the USS Voyager? I believe there have been attempts to perfect long-term holographic technology since then."

The original Mark I EMH on board Voyager was something of a celebrity, especially amongst fellow medical holograms, in fact, his status was almost approaching that of a deity. A hologram that is on par with a sentient organic being had never been acknowledged before, but now, it was all changing.

"The Doctor onboard Voyager is an incredible collection of subroutines and programs... I... I'm nowhere near as advanced as he is... I suppose that's the tradeoff for spending the better part of a decade in the Delta Quadrant... your program has to grow faster than you might think."

"Perhaps so, doctor, but you are more advanced than the Voyager's EMH when he was activated and because of his success, future EMH programs were redesigned. It is the reason you are designed to function for an extended period, because of what happened on Voyager. I studied the EMH programs in Starfleet Academy. They are... fascinating."

"High praise indeed... I must admit... as much as a hologram can enjoy being, well, a hologram, I do sometimes wish I could experience things a little more... organically... humanoids can be so... varied... so many emotions, perceptions, opinions, I don't have to worry about things like that... my program simply decides what is best and carries it out."

The word fascinating from a Vulcan of course could have meant any one of a thousand different possibilities, from a genuine fascination with holoprogramming, right through to the desire of an organic to experience the world as a hologram.

"Perhaps so," Varek conceded. He organized a few medical tricorders into their proper place and then turned to face the EMH. "It would seem your expertise are required often on this ship, however; I suspect you will have the opportunity to explore your extended functions."

"Perhaps... although for now I'm satisfied fulfilling my primary purpose... afterall without a crew to maintain this vessel, I wouldn't last very long myself! Holoemitters can be finicky things from what I understand."

The EMH chuckled to himself for a moment as he thought on the rather odd situation that he as a hologram spent his time healing organics purely so they could maintain the systems that maintained him... it was certainly an interesting arrangement.

"If you decide to expand your experience, I would be willing to teach you to play Kal-toh. It is difficult to find proficient players on board a starship."

"Ahh yes... the Vulcan logic game... my database contains some knowledge of the activity, although I would have to spend some time in the databanks learning a little more about it's more complex rules... very well Mr. Varek you have piqued my curiosity... consider me your student!"

"I shall, doctor."

"Well in that case...I best go brush up on my logic rules....computer, deactivate Emergency Medical Holographic Program."

and with that, he was gone.

[OFF]

Ensign Varek
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

EMH Mk-X
Emergency Medical Hologram
USS Galileo

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