"I ask myself that question a lot, Commander," it replied in slow, stately pace, as if the words required the emphasis, "because I often don't entirely know the answer to it. I've been smeared across twelve thousand light years. It's amazing how much you can forget in such a span. How unsure you can be of who you are."
"But I doubt that's what you meant when you asked the question. My name is Savant."
Astonishing.
Were she not a Vulcan, one could have described the expression in the young woman's eyes with utter delight. How unique, and how unexpected.
"Not at all, Savant. The matter of your name is only part of who you are, no? I bid you greetings."
Still watching the flow of light on her screen, the young Vulcan allowed a smile to tug at her lips, but suddenly her expression grew serious again "I must apologize for the intrusion. The memo advising of the program designated 'Savant' being activated failed to mention you were an artificial intelligence."
"No harm, no foul, Commander, as the humans say it," the software replied, sibilant syllables cascading past the ear, "and you have my admiration. So few identify one of my processing nodes for what it is. They assume I'm a virus." Her tone rose to an almost laugh, a cheerful sound composed of bell-chimes and sounding xylophones.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander. I look forward to synthesizing from your sensor feedback, and I look forward to assisting you in whatever issues may arise during the course of the mission."
Not only polite, but cheerfully so. And the voice, though synthetic, held a most pleasant ring. Sakarra could not help but experience a surge of fondness in addition to being understandably intrigued. How completely fascinated grandfather would be.
"The 'pleasure' as you put it, is mine, Savant."
Of course, it was logical. To explore a Stellar Nursery the scope of the one they were bound for was a daunting task, and a software as sophisticated as this would be immensely helpful.
Then why did Sakarra yet again feel as if the scent of tin on desert air was wafting through her quarters?
"I would be most gratified if I might call upon your assistance. May I assume a query to the ship's audio processors will suffice to alert you?"
"I set trigger routines to monitor for my name along with random polling, Commander. I will do my best to give your tasks the attention they need without your requesting, but if you have need of me, yes, please call."
The tone of voice modulated somewhat; a rich medium register filled with a subtle electric buzz that added a volume of emotion. The Vulcan could easily note the throaty, diaphragm-borne tone that was indicative of a shift in conversation from professional to personal, though the polite mannerisms remained.
Yet again, the young woman found herself blinking with surprise. Savant was more than merely sophisticated. A slender finger tapped against the desk's dark surface when she pondered how the program achieved such intriguing finesse – the voice change was subtle but held a distinctive Betazoid timbre. And perfectly individual as far as Sakarra could tell, rather than a mere copying of acquired data. It at once reminded her of Okalan's way to change his voice when reassuring a patient or Lady Lhorexa when greeting – well, anyone she was not unhappy to see. Adding a mental 'Olixinna when she is gaining steam in charming mode', the Vulcan had to silently admit she was ... impressed.
"and, if I may point out, Commander; Brevet Lieutenant Warren appears to like the scent of lavender. I know a very lovely perfume formulated on Gilgamesh IX which I am 92% certain he would appreciate. If you would like, I can add it to your personal replicator library."
Lavender? What …
It was a good thing there was no one else in the room, bathed in warm, copper toned light, or they might have been treated to a Vulcan displaying outright astonishment. Both brows shot up instantaneously while the thus far alert but relaxed body fell into complete stillness. Even the fingers ceased their thoughtful tapping and hovered centimeters above the desk while Sakarra struggled to rein in both her temper and the surge of humor following hard on its heels.
"Savant, …" she finally managed, in a voice that was unusually flat and for that reason alone gave away the fact she was trying very hard not to display overt emotion "… do I wish to know how you arrived at … such a conclusion? The suggestion is of course appreciated; however I was not aware you were keeping records of personal matters?"
Not to mention she was obviously good at it. Very good.
The gentle amusement was palpable enough to be audible. "I had noticed that the Brevet Lieutenant experienced an increase in endorphins and dopamines within his autonomic nervous system when your name was spoken in his presence. Normally this increase in heart rate would be modified by supplementary adrenaline and acetylcholine if he was unsure whether the emotion would be reciprocated. Svi'shitau lith'ik masu, to borrow a Vulcan turn of phrase."
"I'll leave a link to the formula in your in-box, if you should decide to make use of it. Is there any other way I might be of assistance?"
The humor gained momentum and overtook the brief surge of irritation, causing the young Vulcan to shake her head slowly while a gentle huff escaped her lips. Well well. Observant, and if Sakarra was any judge, capable of mischief. Savant would be a most interesting addition to the crew.
"Thank you." Despite herself, she found her voice echoing Savant's amusement, and she was fairly certain the AI would pick up on it without fail.
"And no, there is not at the present time. Unless …" suddenly the dark glint was back in the young woman's eyes and her face returned to the mask of chiseled marble "… I might trouble you to forward any information the council members have requested you to research. I assume none of it is classified?"
Savant must have detected the change in the Vulcan's tone, for her voice returned to its more formal and professional mannerisms. "I'll happily forward any information that the Science Council requests to your desk. I wasn't aware that you had an interest in cosmology. Would you care to be kept up to date on the findings? I can prepare a briefing package if you like." Above the Commander's desk appeared an accompanying hologram - a concise image of the stellar region that Charon would be exploring, along with specific scan scopes and important landmark stellar objects.
The program mused pleasantly as the hologram fleshed out, "How fitting, that a ship named Charon should be exploring these Stygian waters. The ferryman would be pleased."
"I should appreciate that, Savant." Placing her chin on steepled fingers, the young woman gazed intently at the image hovering before her. It was beautiful, almost heartbreakingly so. Not that anyone could get her or any other Vulcan to say that out loud.
"And yes, I do. It is one of the reasons I joined Starfleet and requested Charon rather than another ship. There can hardly be a more satisfying assignment than a mission of exploration on board a Luna-class, no?"
Unfortunately, she would not be able to revel in this information as much as she would have preferred. A soft exhale and a stolen moment of pure joy over what she saw later, Sakarra nodded once more. "Indeed I believe he would."
One could only hope the ferryman's keen gaze would suffice to avoid the often treacherous waters that stirred the river of earth's underworld.
"Very well, Commander. You may expect your introductory briefing package in the morning. Istau nash-veh y'eh sanaya." And, while the hologram of the local cluster of stars remained, the software that littered the terminal behind it winked out of view.
"Fa-wak na'kharat" she murmured into the silence, knowing full well that it would be wise to get some sleep and still not intending to go to bed for quite a while.
[End Log]
Savant
Lieutenant Commander Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm/2XO
USS Charon
