LtCmdr Salkath - Foraging
Salkath
Here were two Starfleet officers, both out of their elements. One figuratively, the other both figuratively and literally. LtCmdr Salkath did not have the inherent ability to empathise, as made obvious with his flippant dismissal of Doctor Sadar. In hindsight, noting her social discomfort, he could have made more effort to dismiss her gently, but where was the logic in ruminating on past interactions? The point being, his interest in the restoration of Ensign Gnai into an ambulatory suit was mostly academic. The technical challenge of the problem was the reward for the Vulcan. Gnai, on the other hand, had a much more vested interest. The issue? The scientist was stuck trying to assist its engineering colleague in accomplishing that goal while being hampered by, well, needing that goal completed to assist most efficiently.
Salkath could sympathise, but empathise? Perhaps if he tackled the task while encased in an escape pod. And the task was outside the escape pod. Maybe then he could empathise.
Salkath: Power is limited for, well, frivolous use, but we may be able to replicate an environment in the holographic bay here for you to function at your peak potential. I will need all the expertise you can provide for this project, and I would prefer you face as few constraints as we can muster.
This brought unbidden questions in his mind about his colleague's interests and experiences with a holodeck. Did it immerse itself in aquatic environs similar to its homeworld? Or did it just use its ambulatory suit to explore holoexperiences similar to the rest of the bipedal crew aboard the ship? If he could recall correctly, most Galadoran technology was not tactile, but photonically activated and telepathic. Starfleet technology was not directly compatible, so the former option was unlikely. This might be a newer experience for Gnai.
Gnai: ~ Yes, of course. I ::partial:: can help a little from within the water. If you have files for our ::whole:: manipulators. ~
Salkath: Alright. We can make that so. But! Before we start, I want to be very clear that our first attempt will likely be a substandard suit, possibly only a temporary one at first. Resources are scant, and I want to ensure that both our expectations are suitably tempered. Is that fair?
Gnai: ~ Of course. I ::partial:: just want to be able to move around without someone else’s help. It doesn’t need to be perfect. ~
Salkath: ::nodding sagely:: Understandable. That is our priority.
Gnai: ~ Oh. And to talk. With speakers. I ::partial:: don’t like to talk in others’ minds who can’t reciprocate. ~
Salkath hadn't really thought about that since his initial contact with Gnai leading to this process. He had consciously projected his thoughts at first, but in short order, it had become second nature. What about those with no telepathic or empathic abilities, like the numerous humans aboard? Gnai's interactions with the vast majority of its current environs was completely severed. This was more than a nice-to-have for the Galadoran, it was a need-to-have.
Salkath: Yes, that too is a priority. Assuming you have the knowledge to let the computer replicate the essential components for your speech synthesizer?
Gnai: ~ I ::partial:: can share what I ::partial:: have on how the suit was set up to allow for speech, but it’s just the mechanical designs. With Galadoran ::whole:: parts that we ::partial:: won’t have. You’ll have to figure out how it all works besides that. ~
There were a few files about specific suit systems that it had saved to the computer system, locked behind its passwords. Only a few systems, and ones that weren’t potentially as dangerous to share with others if the system was compromised. Like how its speakers worked - anything regarding the light cells was removed, of course - and how they interfaced with its telepathy.
Salkath: I will focus on the ambulatory systems, and source the components you will need to integrate with the suit. I will allow you to configure whatever you need to interact effectively with the vessel. With my assistance, as you need it. Now, let's get you in a more constructive environment.
Gnai: response
Thanks to the experience he had in holographic interfaces, Salkath knew just how to query the computer in order to develop intricate simulations. It was a verbose process, delineating exactly the parameters needed while supplementing with touch commands on the holographic bay's LCARS display. But, three minutes and 24 seconds later, the bay was transformed into an aquatic tank with submerged controls. The controls, intricate manipulators that were custom formed to respond to the intricate movements of Galadoran tendrils, were the best that Salkath could command with such little knowledge and time. One could only hope they would be enough.
Salkath: ::gently hoisting Gnai's current containment vessel:: Does this appear amenable, Gnai? It is ready for you, if you are also ready.
Gnai: response
There was an interlock that was compatible with the portable containment unit, and Salkath made the connection between the physical and holographic vessels. The rest was in Gnai's hands - well, tendrils. He waited while it made the move over, and watched as Gnai made itself familiar with the new tank. His curiosity was getting the better of him.
Salkath: Well? The holographic simulacrum is highly precise, is it not?
Yes, Vulcans could be prideful as well. One of the few emotions they could not easily mask.
Gnai: response
Salkath: Excellent. I will reserve for you nearly exclusive use of the adjacent replicator, for the components that are too esoteric or specialized to procure elsewhere. For the basic mechanics of your suit, I intend to scavenge the environs, in order to save precious resources. In fact, I shall start now, but will remain within telepathic conversation range should you need me.
Quite literally, Gnai would become one with this ship. It was prudent for Salkath to use any component he could scavenge from Main Engineering, rather than try to reproduce everything from scratch. The hunt for supplies was on!
TAG/TBC