Plug and Play

Posted on Sat Nov 1st, 2014 @ 12:36am by Petty Officer 1st Class Greg Saunders & Crewman E.M.H. Galen
Edited on on Sat Nov 1st, 2014 @ 5:10am

1,287 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Deadly Diplomacy
Location: USS Calypso
Timeline: Current

ON

“Please be careful!” Greg winced as the two crewman undid the restraints securing the Holo-Core into the back compartment of the shuttle. The crewmen looked oddly at him, but at least they made more of a show at being careful as they transferred the 1.2 meter long, 136 kg, cylinder to an anti-grav sled and slowly maneuvered it out of the shuttle. Actually the Core was designed to withstand the explosion of a starship - hopefully it never actually came to that! - but Greg didn't think that Galen would appreciate being smacked off a bulkhead or dropped.

Strapping a such a technological marvel into the back of a tiny shuttle was NOT the way to transport such a thing. Greg scowled inwardly again. Galen wasn't even due for transfer for another month. However the reassignment of Ensign Hale to the Calypso had provided an opportunity, and by his own report, Galen was ready for the beta test. The starbase had an unfortunate lack of proper vessels for transportation at the time, so here they were, bumping their way out of a class VI shuttle. He wasn't one for wringing his hands, but as he watched the crewmen he almost wanted to.

Two years. That’s how long he had know Galen. Well, ‘know’ in such a way that he had been part of the team that had developed her program. He had been the one who was with her during her 3 month testing phase. He had helped her decide what extra-curricular interests to focus on, and had giver her the Oliath seedling that was currently tucked away in his bag. She was ready. The Mark VIIs with the Holo-Core were the best Emergency Medical Holograms that Starfleet had developed, in Greg’s opinion. All they had to do now was prove it.

Working on holographic programming was what he loved to do most. He would be seeing her again when he came to run diagnostics and collect data for the beta test, but that didn't make the goodbye any easier. He cared too much about them, he knew that, but he cared all the same. The pride of seeing one finally sent off to do what they were designed to do was always bittersweet.

Greg followed the crewmen to the main computer core, carrying two medium-sized cases. One was his and contained his equipment, while the other was for the Chief Engineer and contained several tools and technical data.

He barely noticed the corridors as they passed. The new Holo-Core would need to be tied to the power grid, holo-grid and main computer. Technically Galen could function independently from all of these with the use of a mobile emitter, but the only real one was locked away by Starfleet command. It was technology from the 29th century, and access to it was highly restricted. In fact, he’d only seen it once, and counted himself extremely lucky for it. Of course there was the new Photon Pack MK1, but he hated the idea of Galen walking around with such a unit strapped to her back. It was like the holo-program 'Photon's be Free' written by the Doctor years ago while he was on Voyager in the Delta Quadrant. Greg had obtained a copy while in school and had played it several times.

There were several engineering staff waiting for them at the Main Computer Core. The crewmen unloaded the Core from the sled and they got to work. The installation went smoothly. Greg had to admit that the ship's staff was on the ball. At least she would be in good hands.

Everything was ready. He stepped away from the Core and said, “Computer, activate the Emergency Medical Hologram.”

-------

MK8-0006 Emergency Medical Hologram ‘Galen’ always equated an initial activation to what she thought it must be like to emerge from a completely dark and quiet room into a bright noisy metropolitan city. She had given the comparison quiet a lot of thought, though she had never been in either.

The Holo-Core had been in full shut-down mode for transportation to her new host ship, during which time Galen had not been unaware of anything. In the first few milliseconds when she came online she immediately became aware of everything. That was the only way that she could think to describe it. The USS Calypso was very different from the mainframe at Starbase 11. The main computer was faster and ran more processes, the holo-grid extended to every part of the ship, and the indications she was receiving from the Holo-Core about the ship’s power levels were remarkable. Galen had reviewed the specs on the USS Calypso prior to being taken offline, but experiencing it was very different.

She validated her connections to the main computer and sent a test query, which received an immediate response. She did not yet have access to the crew’s records or the ship’s logs, but the medical library was readily available.

Another millisecond later her holo-image was standing in a room filled with blinking lights and engineering staff. She was in the main computer core, with the Holo-Core on her right. Greg was watching her, so she smiled at him. “Hello Greg.” she said.

“Hello Galen.” Greg responded. “Did you sleep well?” Galen had long ago informed him that shut-down was in no way similar to sleep, but he still asked her the same question every time she was reactivated. It was part of his on-going character development initiative; a way to challenge her to respond differently. Over time it had become a sort of running joke between the two of them - an accomplishment in itself.

Early on she had responded every time he asked, with a variety of answers. Since he liked her to try new responses, Galen applied her best level look and simply ignored the question. Instead she chose to comment on the technician’s own sleep-deprived appearance. “You should have rested on the shuttle, you look terrible. Did you eat?”

Greg momentarily lost a step when she ignored him. That was a new development. He silently exalted, but also noted that it was not a good trait for an EMH to have. “You shouldn't ignore questions Galen, it’s not proper for a medical hologram.”

“Noted.” She continued to watch him, “You frequently ignore many questions.”

“Well, yes...um. You shouldn't.” He cleared his throught and held up the diagnostic PADD, indicating the the time for banter was over. “Connections look good. Data transfer rate 100%.” He tapped a few icons, “Test the up-links for me please.”

Galen nodded and sent two requests through the ship’s communication system: One to the Federation’s main medical database, and the other to Starfleet Command for validation of her activation. She received responses from both several seconds later. “Federation medical database connected. Validation request to Starfleet command received and confirmed. Initial start-up diagnostic complete: Holo-Core systems at 100%. Mark VII-006 matrix integration at 100%.”

"Excellent. Everything's in the green." Greg was satisfied with the data on his screen. The installation and activation were a success. "Welcome aboard the USS Calypso." Since he was never one for goodbyes, he immediately began packing up. His job here was done. A quick meeting with the Chief Engineer and he would be on his way back to the Starbase.

"Thank you Greg." With the formalities now out of the way, Galen smiled again and looked at the other personnel in the room. “Hello. It is a pleasure to meet you.” These were her new crew-mates...her new friends.

Now there was an interesting thought.

OFF


Petty Officer 1st Class Greg Saunders
Holo-Specialist, Starbase 11

Crewmen Galen
Emergency Medical Hologram

 

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