LtCmdr Salkath - He Ain't Heavy, He's my Holographic Brother

[Salkath]

((Main Engineering, Deck 15 - USS Artemis-A))

Testing had continued apace on determining the baselines of Ensign Gnai's ambulatory suit. Though it would not behoove him to admit it overly much, Lieutenant Commander Salkath considered it a high honor that the Galadoran had approached him in order to help it make these determinations. The engineer's curiosity had been stoked since the two officers had first met (in less than desirable circumstances) and he had made an honest offer to assist his skills. That Gnai had chosen to take him up on the offer was fortuitous. Salkath had made it his goal to ensure that his professional and intellectual interests did not dominate over the emotional and practical needs of Gnai in this matter.

There was but one test left to conduct, and for this, Salkath had led them into a holosuite alcove for a unique and uncommon take on determining the weight stress thresholds on Gnai's suit. The segue into his professional specialty was part and parcel of his choice; Salkath was very comfortable working with holoprojections as a test module. Why risk Gnai's suit when the holo analogue could produce similar results?

Salkath: For this test, your holographic double will endure weight to its virtual breaking point. It will mirror your movements and actions, though the weight you measure will be a fraction of what it encounters. This way, we can both learn the maximum limits of your suit.

Gnai: Good. With luck, the model is close enough to this suit.

Salkath hadn't considered the aesthetics of the test. It was a holographic environment, aesthetics could be whatever Gnai chose. Salkath would choose duranium ingots, but that was because he lacked sufficient imagination.

Salkath: Your double can lift whatever you choose it to. The force exerted is not necessarily analogue to the object or objects. You can lift a ton of feathers, or a stack of gold pressed latinum, or a pile of targs. Do not let normal physical limitations dictate your choice.

Gnai: Hm... What about another tank of water? Water could be continually added until the breaking point is reached. And the volume of water is easily converted into mass.

Salkath nodded sagely. Gnai made a good scientist, and would make a decent Vulcan. No need to waste resources on frivolous flights of fancy as so many others he had worked with in Starfleet would have. Straight to a measurable medium that fit the spirit of the scientific method. 

Salkath: A logical choice, Ensign. I am programming in the parameters now.

His fingers flew with a rapidity that belied his comfort and familiarity with the holoprogramming system. It was possible to program holosimulations purely by voice, with the computer using heuristic interpretation to try and match the desires of the programmer, but direct entry would always be more efficient in producing desirable results. 

Two graduated tanks appeared before the two Galadorans, identical in every way. The tanks would fill automatically with water in a fluid manner, no pun intended, with the real Gnai experiencing weight at 1/10th the actual value of weight that the photonic Gnai experienced. Salkath finished off the programming with prideful prestidigitation in his fashion. Meaning, he rested his hands on the console.

Gnai: This is ready to start the experiment. Computer, record Gnai Baseline Experiment 1.

The computer dinged in affirmation.

Salkath: Be prepared for the feel of force, and try not to overreact to the effects demonstrated by your holographic double. 

The double could conceivably be tricked by the mind as a mirror image, and it would taint the experiment if Gnai jerked its mechanical arms in response to watching destructive failure occur in its doppelganger. Thankfully, Gnai was a consummate scientist, and held its pose right to and through the failure of the photonic exoskeleton.

Gnai: ::turning to face Salkath:: Sir, how much weight was that?

Salkath: Weight at failure was 253 kilograms. That is... impressive mechanics for such compact hydraulics.

It was roughly 2 1/2 times the amount that the average humanoid could comfortably lift. Some, such as Vulcans, Andorians, and Klingons had higher strength to weight ratios than the average humanoid, but Gnai's suit being squat and lithe still made it an impressive comparison. Gnai would hold its own in any physical endeavor alongside its colleagues.

Gnai: Computer, finish recording Gnai Baseline Experiment 1. ::to Salkath again:: Do you think this should be repeated, or was there enough data in that to provide for the baseline?

Salkath: That was enough measurements for the computer to extrapolate your suit's full range of force and weight capacities. It would appear we are complete here.

Gnai: response

Terminating the simulation and securing the console, Salkath walked slowly with Gnai towards the wide portal exiting Main Engineering. He had many questions that he wished to ask of Gnai, but none of them were necessarily important for his role as mechanical advisor; rather only to sate his curiosity. It would be impolitic to ask such personal questions. How does it control the suit? It operates in a bipedal non-aquatic world with seeming aplomb, a manner one would assume foreign to it; how does it manage so? How does it receive nourishment when on duty for extended periods (or incarcerated in an alternate timeline)? Instead, he would hope that Gnai and he would get to know each other in a better social context as time wore on, and these answers might come in the natural progression of such friendship.

Salkath: ::with uncharacteristic hesitation:: I have enjoyed this process, Ensign. Perhaps we can meet again to discuss your suit in a more informal setting, at our leisure.

Gnai: response

He nodded slowly, walking with his hands clasped behind his back and looking down at his companion as they went on. Perhaps in time, it would learn to read the nuance in Vulcan requests to plumb the traces of emotional intent behind them. 'Be my friend!' As they reached the threshold of Main Engineering, he stopped to let Gnai continue alone.

Salkath: Take care, Ensign. May you find your shore leave activities relaxing and non-eventful.

Gnai: response

Salkath watched his colleague walk off for but a moment, again marveling at the mechanical aptitude that had gone into the construction of its suit. With this pleasant task completed, it was time for the engineer to get back to work. He turned and nearly tripped over a passing technician.

Salkath: ::suppressing annoyance:: Don't you have a plasma junction to degauss? I can find you more work if you need...

TAG/END SCENE for Salkath

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Lieutenant Commander Salkath

Engineer, USS Artemis-A

A239111MT0