ILLUMINARRPG: (-80- 1345)- Lieutenant Able Breckinridge

[Charles Gatling]

Mission:  Death in the Shadows
Day: -80
Stardate: 2445.11.12

(Altair IV- Orbit - Defensive Station 7 -  Cargo Bay 5- Lieutenant Able
Breckinridge- 1345)

Able shook his head in wonder. "To think that 24.6 kilograms of tripolymer
composites, 11.8 kilograms of molybdenum-cobalt alloys and 1.3 kilograms of
bioplast sheeting could look so real."

Andrews stepped forward. "Doctor Soong's androids were constructed so as
not to appear to take the place of humans while they did looked very
human-like. This was done deliberately I believe, so that when they were
discovered they would not be destroyed out of fear. And modeling the
Outrider android to an existing human was simple although there may be some
minor physical variations. Were he married his wife might even be fooled
for a short time since he is fully functional and anatomically correct.
However he doesn't have Commander Hardy's memories. This is his only flaw.
>From a distance though there will be little to differentiate him from the
original unless he is subjected to a battery of test questions."

Able looked at the doctor then back to the android. "He should work for our
purposes."

Andrews stepped forward and to the side of the android and patted a
shoulder. "In replicating Doctor Soong's work I have also incorporated some
improvements such as a normal speech pattern and internal flotation.
Wouldn't want him to sink to the bottom in water if he went for a swim now
would we?"

"Is he really alive?" Able noted the androids eyes follow his every
movement and it was disconcerting.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?

Able sucked in a breath before speaking. "What is your name?"

"I am the Outrider series one android however I have as of yet not been
issued a permanent name. For now I am Commander William Hardy, the
commanding officer of defensive platform 7, interdiction series in the
Altair system."

"Are you alive?"

The android crossed its arms. "What defines life? I think; my computational
speed is sixty trillion bits per second. I have a memory capacity of eight
hundred quadrillion bits. I am fully functional, appearing to breathe and
may eat and drink. I can sleep and perhaps even dream."

"Do you have emotions?"

"I have been programmed to simulate the emotions of Commander Hardy."

"But do you feel the emotions?" Brekinridge knew he was pushing his luck on
the time spent doing this but his curiosity or at least some of it refused
to leave unsated. "Do you feel fear or joy?"

"I am familiar with the theoretical concepts however I do not actually feel
these emotions. But are these necessary qualities for life? Does not having
them disqualify me from being a life form? Vulcans believe that powerful
emotions are detrimental to life therefore by their criteria I have been
born in a more desirable state."

The hair on the back of Able's neck prickled. "You were not born, you were
created."

"A minor variation in forms. The creation of sentient life is called birth
as they are being biologically created in an infantile form. My birth or
creation was in an adult form thus bypassing the growth process. Doctor
Noonian Soong's android was found to meet the criteria for being a life
form and I meet or exceed the standard used to measure him. My positronic
brain is of the same composition and capacity which is also expandable."

Able looked at Andrews who shrugged. "It's true. The components are
comparable to Doctor Soong's model but can be improved upon."

"But he's not really alive is he? You programmed him to take Hardy's place."

Andrews gave a knowing smile. "Is that true Outrider one?"

"Doctor Andrews inputted the parameters necessary to take the place of
Commander Hardy but I have not been programmed to be a mindless automaton.
I will do so willingly."

Able Brekinridge felt a bolt of something like fear travel down his spine.
His eyes jumped from android to the doctor and back several times. "You are
doing this of your own free will?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because the history of the Federation has shown that weakness invites
aggression and to properly protect the institution requires strength. Its
borders must expand and be properly protected or it will fall. The aims of
Roanoke are necessary for its proper protection and expansion."

Able tore his eyes from those of the android, so lifelike they were
disconcerting to look back at the doctor. "And how did he come by this
understanding?"

Doctor Andrews smiled placidly. "I persuaded him."

Able swallowed the lump in his throat or tried to. ~But what if he has
second thoughts and how much can I trust him?~ But he would have to in
order to carry out his plan. And hope that Doctor Andrews was right.

(Reply: None)

(Posted by Charles G)



Charles Gatling
Commanding Officer
USS Illuminar
NCC 61240


"The light shines brightest amidst the deepest darkness."
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