Lt. Commander V'Lar - Off the Guided Path

[Chris M]

((Deep Trenches, Deluvia IV)) 

V'Lar: Regarding your earlier desire for a sample. Would such an object qualify? Given that the exoskeleton is composed of non-living calcium carbonate, even a low resolution scanner would be able to obtain sufficient data to allow the object to be reproduced via a replicator with over 99% accuracy. Since the original is subject to decay but a replicator pattern is not, logic suggests it would serve as a superior memento. Would that satisfy the requirement for "bringing a piece back?"

Fenn: See Commander! You get it, this is perfect.

V'Lar felt a distinct sense of satisfaction. It was not emotional, she told herself, but the intellectual gratification of understanding and subsequently resolving the problem. 

oO I have successfully applied a technical solution to an emotional requirement. I will notify Lieutenant Commander Tahna about my progress with the social bonding directive. Oo

Sevo: A bit excessive, but I can understand that.

Whilst it would vary on a case by case basis, in most situations V'Lar would consider 99% accuracy to be adequate rather than excessive. 

Fenn: Did anyone bring a scanner along?

V'Lar wasn't fond of the idea of ever being without a scanning device of some kind.

Sevo: Yea, my tricorder should do.

V'Lar glanced at the device; it appeared to be a modified Starfleet tricorder. Whilst V'Lar suspected that a sub-micron imager might provide better results, even a standard tricorder would yield satisfactory results.

V’Lar: The sensor assemblies on that model should possess sufficient resolution for the task.

Fenn: If so, could I borrow it please? If I can replicate this, it’ll look great on the shelf in my quarters.

V'Lar considered that the displaying of a memento might be as important as the actual acquisition. Possibly serving not only as a memory prompt for the owner but as a social prompt for visitors.

Sevo: Be careful with that; it’s the very definition of irreplaceable. If you drop it in the depths, I may never forgive you.

oO Tricorders are mass-produced devices and yet she attaches significant emotional value onto her tricorder. Oo

V'Lar mentally noted the sentiment towards the device for future reference. Given that her priority was the wellbeing of the crew, she felt it reasonable to manage her colleagues' emotions.

V’Lar: While the currents are forceful, they are mathematically predictable. Should the device be dropped, the probability of successful recovery remains within the ninety-percentile range.

oO There, anxiety mitigated. It is a mystery why Starfleet allocates such vast resources to counselling when simple logic is more efficient. Oo

V'Lar observed Ensign Fenn manipulate the borrowed tricorder, sweeping the sensor array over the iridescent spiral of the exoskeleton. Once the data was secured, Fenn handed the device back to the Commander. V'Lar noted that the Mission Specialist did not holster it immediately. Instead, Sevo turned the sensors outward, capturing her own scans.

Sevo: Look over there. What’s that?

V'Lar followed the Commander's gesture instantly, her gaze piercing the gloom. Where the bioluminescence of the trench pulsed with an organic, blue-green rhythm, this new illumination was stark and steady.

V’Lar: The spectral output is consistent with artificial illumination. Range: two-hundred-fourteen meters. Bearing: three-five-eight mark two-six-nine.

Fenn: Response

Sevo: It’s a facility of some kind. Research, perhaps? Want to take a look?

V’Lar: It is a significant deviation from the guided path. Our presence may constitute an intrusion.

Fenn: Response

Sevo: Relax; if they don’t want visitors, I’m sure they’ll have signs and warning buoys around the place.

V'Lar found the Commander’s reliance on signage to be optimistic, yet legally sound. Exclusion zones were typically demarcated by automated beacons.

oO Ambiguity is not a prohibition. Oo

V’Lar: A reasonable deduction. Perimeter warnings should be in place for a restricted zone. I do not detect any such beacons.

Fenn: Response

V'Lar: Shall we proceed?

Fenn / Sevo: Response

V'Lar elegantly reorientated herself, tilting her body towards the distant lights. She paused for a moment to allow her companions to likewise realign themselves before she started to frog kick, efficiently propelling herself towards the structure.

V'Lar: If we can determine whether the facility is occupied and if there are any active transmissions we may be able to theorise as to its likely purpose. Might I suggest a passive scan of the structure itself? If the structure is a research facility and if the facility is carrying out research on the local environment then active scans could prove disruptive.

Fenn / Sevo: Response

V'Lar: What purpose do you believe it serves?

Fenn / Sevo: Response

==========/\==========

Lieutenant Commander V'Lar
Chief Medical Officer
USS Gorkon, NCC-82293
A240101CC1