LtCmdr Salkath - Take It Upon Faith

[Salkath]

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

Present within the engineering hub of the USS Artemis was Lieutenant Commander Salkath and Ensign Gnai. Conspicuously absent were junior engineers of various disciplines, who were giving the Vulcan and his science friend a wide berth lest they fall victim to his acerbic disdain again. Therefore, Salkath was free to discuss the sensitive nature that had brought the two together.

Salkath: Well, Galadoran literature within Starfleet databases on your containment suit is... lacking. Whether that is by choice or by design? ...

This probing method of eliciting information out of somebody was a relatively new and unfamiliar tactic for Salkath. It was part of his quest to be more considerate of the feelings and emotions of his colleagues. Years of more forthcoming statements had taught him that social decorum often ran counter to such efforts. After all, a statement such as "I cannot help you because of the obtuse privacy of you and your ilk", though technically correct, would not endear him to his audience.

Gnai: This was a collaboration with a mentor, Gnai. It is unique. ::pause:: There should be no literature on it.

Salkath: If this is so, how have you maintained your suit throughout your Academy training and burgeoning career? Have you conducted repairs and maintenance yourself?

He had so many questions, all out of a desire to provide the most effective and thorough assistance he could. Salkath only hoped he wasn't being too aggressive in his questioning of the newly-minted officer.

Gnai: Basic maintenance is not altogether very difficult. The primary concern today is that there may be things that have been overlooked, or that would be better to be replaced by a more competent engineer than simply serviced.

Salkath: Yes, I understand. ::he nodded affirmatively:: I might have an 'eye' for details that might elude a tinkerer, perhaps. Though biomechanical interfaces such as yours might not be my specialty, between the two of us we can conduct a more thorough examination than you might on your own.

Gnai bobbed up and down. Salkath might be guilty of anthropomorphizing the movement, but it appeared as if Gnai might be responding in the affirmative as well.

Gnai: Most of the suit is fairly simple, mechanically. ::pointing out parts as it mentions them:: The maintenance on these joints has primarily been to ensure that they are properly lubricated. The arms and legs are trivial to understand, hopefully. Most species develop some forms of robotics, correct?

The Vulcan watched intently as the Galadoran indicated the associated systems as it spoke of them. His training and his interests helped him to form associations against his own familiarities, in order to better process the details.

Salkath: My people, though skilled at automating systems, were not necessarily driven to build replicated automatons. You are correct, however, that many Federation species have. Humans, for example, have always had a certain fondness for mechanical analogues of themselves. It is extensive in both their lore and their history. One cannot train in a human-centric organization such as Starfleet and not be exposed to their fascination. ::seeking non-verbal permission to start scanning with a tricorder::  I am content with my proficiency on such common architecture, perhaps we can discuss unique Galadoran technology that you have employed?  

Gnai: ::pointing them out on the suit:: The power and voice systems can be explained if needed, as they are possibly novel technology for you? But those are functioning well at the moment.

The processing systems behind Gnai's suit scanned as photoluminescent in nature - not entirely surprising considering the host physiology. Thankfully, Salkath had been spending more time on bioneural circuitry lately after his discussions with the Artemis' Chief Engineer. This ship utilized such circuitry, and at the offhand urging of Lt Yellir, this Vulcan had focused on this relative deficiency in his engineering knowledge. The parallels between the Starfleet tech and these scans of the Galadoran suit were enough for Salkath to gain a baseline understanding.

Salkath: ::focusing on his tricorder:: Even these systems appear to be operating within tolerance when compared to each other.  ::looking up:: If you infer that these are the nominal operating conditions for the systems, then I do not detect any issues. 

Gnai: In all honesty, the hope is also to get a baseline for what normal functioning is with the suit in the mind of a trusted engineer on the ship. Much like having an early physical check-up with a medical officer. There is no obvious damage that will need to be repaired at this moment.

Salkath paused for but a moment, staring interrogatively past the transparent duranium of the suit's tank wall and at the individual within. The voice modulator of Gnai's suit did not express emotion well, and Salkath was hardly the best judge of emotive expression regardless, but Gnai's choice of words resonated with him all the same. He decided to 'go out on a limb', as it were.  

Salkath: It can be difficult to trust an individual with something as personal and sensitive as your suit. It is more than just the impressive engineering feat it represents. It is an integral part of you and your identity among others that are not your kind.

Gnai: response

Salkath: Can I therefore infer that it is a 'leap of faith' to allow an outsider, a stranger, such as myself access to your work? That trusting me to work on your ambulatory biome is not only a concern for your physical wellbeing, but also taking a chance on the integrity of your intellectual property?

The Vulcan put down his tricorder and leaned in close to Gnai, projecting calm assurance. It was a fine line on a Vulcan visage between this expression and glowering, but Salkath put faith that his intent would come through all the same.

Gnai: response

Salkath: There is a common axiom that Vulcans cannot lie. This is untrue. However, we are unburdened by many of the personal emotional vices that make lying desireable or commonplace in most humanoids. Therefore, you can employ the spirit of the axiom when I say that I am not lying about my discretion. You need not fear that any interest I have in your suit and its technology exists beyond providing you the best assistance I can. Any notes I take, any reverse engineering I document, will be encoded for access by you and I alone, and only you can choose to extend that access to others or subsequently restrict my access. ::pause:: Consider me your mechanical version of a counselor, if you will. 

Gnai: response

The Vulcan slightly raised an eyebrow. It was the closest to a satisfied smile he would admit himself to have. 

Salkath: Then, let us get these baseline measurements completed. ::starting busywork, then pausing noticeably:: Thank you, Gnai, for your trust. It will not go unfounded.

TAG/TBC

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Lieutenant Commander Salkath

Engineer, USS Artemis-A

A239111MT0