Lt. Commander V'Lar - A Slight Escalation

[Chris M]

((Sto'Vo'Kor Lounge, Deck 9, USS Gorkon))

With their game of kal'toh concluded in her favour, the conversation had shifted to Spelvan’s preferred recreational activity: a Terran simulation known as 'Battleship'. While V'Lar remained skeptical of a game reliant on hidden variables and "blind luck," she had agreed to review the parameters and try the game.

With the rods securely stored, she folded her hands upon the table. 

V'Lar: Discussing Human games in a Klingon themed location is a curious juxtaposition. Tell me, Ensign, given the number of viable locations available, what was your thought process in proposing this location?

Spelvan: I wished to further our communication in a... less formal environment. Quarters would be inappropriate, and I knew that Sto'Vo'Kor had a kal'toh set from previous visits.

V'Lar analysed the Ensign's logic. His preference for "informality" aligned with standard humanoid sociology, though she noted that Vulcan behaviour rarely required such radical environmental shifts to facilitate communication. However, the logistical necessity of the kal-toh set provided a tangible variable to support his choice. Furthermore, his assessment regarding personal quarters was sound. Her own accommodation was a controlled environment, a sanctuary of order that was calibrated to her specific needs. The introduction of social variables was neither required nor desired. Yet, as she regarded Spelvan, she conceded that a visitation from a fellow Vulcan might constitute a manageable intrusion under specific parameters.

V'Lar: I see. You made a pragmatic decision based on the availability of specific equipment.

Spelvan: I hope I did not offend you by suggesting this locale.

V'Lar raised a brow, the gesture minute but deliberate. The concept of 'offense' in this context was inefficient. She had not been injured or insulted; she had merely observed a juxtaposition. Spelvan's concern betrayed a lingering uncertainty in his standing with her, no doubt a remnant of their earlier philosophical friction regarding his brother or her research.

V'Lar: I perceive no slight, Ensign. I was simply curious as to the factors you took into consideration in your decision to select this venue. 

V'Lar watched as Spelvan rose from his seat, his posture signaling the conclusion of the social interval. Recognising the cue, she unclasped her hands and mirrored the action, rising with a fluid, economical motion to stand opposite him. The rapport building exercise appeared to be complete.

Spelvan: I do not suppose you know of any other games we could play together in the future?

She paused to process the expansion of scope. While she had already acceded to the 'Battleship' proposal, this new inquiry suggested a desire to establish a recurring schedule of interaction. She began filtering potential activities through a matrix of utility. Games of pure chance were dismissed immediately as inefficient. However, activities that utilised complex mathematics, spatial reasoning, or high-intensity physical exertion offered tangible benefits. If the activity served to sharpen the mind or condition the body, it was a logical use of time.

V'Lar: That depends on your preferred objective. For a static simulation, I would recommend the ancient Terran game of 'Weiqi'.

While the rules are deceptively simple, mathematically speaking, it represents a slight escalation in complexity from 'Battleship'. The number of permissible board configurations exceeds the number of Planck times since the formation of the universe.

If V'Lar's memory served, and it invariably did, the precise number of legal positions was  208,168,199,381,979,984,699,478,633,344,862,770,286,522,453,884,530,548,425,639,456,820,927,419,612,738,015,378,525,648,451,698,519,643,907,259,916,015,628,128,546,089,888,314,427,129,715,319,317,557,736,620,397,247,064,840,935.

A magnitude so vast that it defied comprehension. She respected such complexity as well as its representation of Kol-Ut-Shan, the principle known to off-worlders as IDIC.

oO Effective infinite diversity arising from a simple binary set. Oo

Spelvan: Response

V'Lar: It is a pure test of pattern recognition and strategic efficiency, entirely devoid of random variables. In many ways it is a game of perfect information. Nothing is hidden from the players and nothing is left to chance. It should prove marginally more intellectually demanding than attempting to locate stationary maritime vessels on a pegboard.

Spelvan: Response

V'Lar considered that the mathematical complexity of 'Weiqi' might be deemed excessive when compared to his preferred maritime guessing game.

oO Perhaps I should suggest a different activity. Oo

V'Lar: If you wish to incorporate kinetic variables, are you familiar with Racquetball? The calculation of angular velocity and trajectory in real-time provides a stimulating challenge for the mind, whilst maintaining cardiovascular efficiency. 

Spelvan: Response

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

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