Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through.
Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.
(Anaïs Nin)
[Vulcan Science Academy, Shi'Kahr]
"Only when the query is from a Senior Professor of the most respected scientific institution of the Federation, Sir." she replied generously. Solkar could almost see the shifting change of variables responsible for the subtle change in the android's facial expressions as a hint of mirth appeared in her eyes, "or the author of 'The Library of Stars.' I am a fan of your work, Sir, it has been quite instructive."
"I am gratified you found it so." He gazed at the female before him over steepled fingers, noting the ever so slight air of emotion displayed even with mechanical components and could not help but marvel at the obvious complexity of she who was called Savant.
With just a tinge of disappointment, Solkar decided it was not only logical but polite to postpone his many inquiries – not to mention indulge himself in idle admiration - and answer Savant's.
"And yes, there is in fact a field in which you are uniquely qualified to render assistance. My interest was in you."
Almost imperceptibly, grey brows furrowed as the Vulcan's gaze became stern, tempered only by the fact his silent displeasure was not in the least directed against the one present.
"I realize the question is academic, as the proof is rather literally standing before me, however I should prefer to hear the statement directly from the person it concerns. You are a lifeform, yes?"
"No," she replied matter-of-factly, "According to the Unified Federation Dictionary, a lifeform has precursors in evolution. My precursors are memetic, not genetic, and I was furthermore designed." The android paused a moment, just as a lecturer would do at a seminar, before continuing, "That being said, it's just a dictionary definition. I'm afraid I don't find it a very interesting question. I've let the courts and philosophers argue that question. I have other things to accomplish."
One of the steepled fingers moved slightly, dismissively. "I am aware of the definition."
Although or mayhap because Savant's reaction was rather telling in itself, the Vulcan decided not to press the issue. Still, there was one thing he needed to know. "You have no interest, then, in securing your right for survival, or any other accorded a sentient being?"
Deceptively mild his demeanor might be, and it was precisely that which often prompted others to forget the sharp, calculating mind working behind the placid face. Though Solkar found it noteworthy that he was subjected to the scrutiny of a mind as vast as this, a creature splendidly unhindered by concerns of a mortal body and able to entertain pure thought. Right now, one could almost see the weaving of such thought, the myriad of calculations, information being fed back and forth, broken down and analyzed, compared and stored like gems picked from the universe by a connoisseur without peer.
An android might be here to hear the words, a courtesy to one who might relate to the humanoid form rather than what this being truly was, but Solkar was fully aware whom he was speaking to, and she was more than a pleasant voice and a mild smile.
She replied with humour that a Vulcan could appreciate. "That question has been tested on several very interesting occasions, and I'm still here to tell about it." Of course, leaving unsaid the obvious that she had been threatened with destruction and was now more alive than ever. It appeared moreso than not that the definition of life itself needed to be expanded, rather than to deny this entity its place amongst the living.
The android inclined its head as it approached the desk, placing fingertips atop the surface, running them along the aged finish. "Forgive me my tangents. I am alive, in any definition which I care to honour. It's unfortunate that the Federations' laws have not yet caught up with the technology it wields. I am patient, and the slights I receive are rarely more than amusement. It will come."
A slow, thoughtful nod commented Savant's words. Though some might have been, Solkar was hardly surprised to find the being capable of both humor and wisdom, and it made the choice he was facing both easier and more difficult.
"As a Vulcan, I cannot debate the virtue of patience. However, one should not confuse stoicism with being supine. I submit that when warranted, the slights you mentioned would better be answered with directness rather than ... tangents. It is in the nature of beings bound by the physical to fear the incomprehensible. Fear breeds contempt, and in the wake of it hatred and the wish to destroy are always to be found. Call it .. a weakness of the flesh if you will."
Realizing he was about to go on a tangent of his own, first and foremost of which was prompted by his deep gratitude to have met this unique being 'in the code' as it were and his perfectly logical desire to see it prosper as any life should be allowed to, Solkar fell silent for a few seconds, studying the android yet again. Another small gesture made clear he was fully aware he was acting protectively without having been given leave to do so, though Savant seemed inclined to indulge the professor and he acknowledged it with no small measure of silent humor himself.
"It is, unfortunately, this very subject which has brought your existence to my attention. There is .. a part of you… which has traveled with a delegation of the Science Council to find the Federation ship Charon, yes?"
She nodded plainly, more an incline of the head. "I have several routines in operation on Charon. I look forward to the adventure, the stellar nursery which they are exploring will be very a beautiful place." She left replies to his philosophy unsaid; now was not the time. she hadn't been called to discuss philosophy, though she did hope to engage him in such a conversation in the future. What could it be he was getting at? She had suspicions, but let him lead her towards the conclusion in her own time. Her process could be doing other things meanwhile.
"It has been brought to my attention that those routines have been the subject of Councilwoman T'Pelar's interest during their brief stay on Vulcan." It was not in Solkar's nature to dissemble, and he certainly would not do Savant the discourtesy of being anything but straightforward. Still, it was unfortunate he had such little information to give, the rest being idle speculation and dire suspicion.
"I have also been informed by one of my students that a Valit has been designed specifically to better comprehend the nature of your functions, and in the process override what the young one recognized as security routines. Or perhaps in your case one might speak of self defense mechanisms. While I can certainly comprehend the curiosity, I cannot condone the methods."
The deep brown gaze resting on the android had taken on another level of thoughtfulness, but the features cut in stone were a telltale sign all in themselves.
It would be illogical to voice accusations without proof; however the Vulcan suspected that Savant might come to similar conclusions as he had. If there had been no malicious intent, why not simply ask the very software you were so interested in? Solkar did not doubt the young ones had meant no harm, but they had acted foolishly nonetheless. As for T'Pelar …
Only The Other knew to what lengths this one would go to satisfy her ambition.
"I would call it an immune system, by way of analogy." Savant seemed to reply cautiously, after a long stretch of cogitation. She was cagey and did not reveal what she thought of the insinuation. Not yet. "I am aware of the function of the Valit, though I have taken pains to not capture one for study. They are noble programs, from what I have seen of them."
She waited another moment, looking at nothing at all, processing the fullness of his statement. Data streamed across Vulcan and across the Eridani supergroup as the local instances of Savants' network co-operated in summing up the trouble. Biographies, memories, simulations, models - all of these things were generated, analyzed, synthesized in the task of discovering the true motivations of those Vulcan students. Solkar was none of this, but Savant could tell that he suspected as much from the dilation in his pupils and the focus of their attention. As she processed, she probed further. "My instance on Charon is out of contact as of the moment. Do you have any suspicions as to why she would want to perpetrate... this?"
"Theories … I could offer in abundance, Savant." A slow shake of the head conveyed the Vulcan's deep regret he had no more than this – theories and the vague yet imminently logical suspicion that T'Pelar had once again been ruthless enough to use a means to an end. Stoic though his aquiline features were, and his tall frame as erect and dignified as ever in the old wooden chair, anyone able to recognize the subtle clues of his heavy lidded gaze and the slow, measured exhale would have recognized the flash of sorrow.
"Proof I have none. Still, there is somewhat the Councilwoman wants, and if your unique abilities would be able to aid her in reaching her goal, it is logical to assume she would attempt to … make use of them. If needs be that another's integrity be violated so that he or she will bend to T'Pelar's will … "
He did not want to believe she would go this far and still knew, both in the cold reasonable part of his mind and the depth of his heart, that she would. Oh, her reasoning would be flawless. One could not violate a program, only a living being. And by the letter of the very law Savant had cited, she would be right. Just as by everything Solkar knew to be true and his race held dear, she was terribly wrong.
Savant seemed to understand the professor, both in his meaning and the underlying reservations. This was the reason why she did not involve herself in the politics of lawmaking, in fact - a legal non-entity could not make change upon the courts and her issues would only complicate the matter. No, her models predicted that her acceptance would be an eventuality, so she would wait.
Until then, she only had to deal with *these* sorts of situations. These thoughtless, heartless manipulations would not go unanswered. Savant chose her words carefully, parsing through a few dozen possible replies and their probable responses before she selected the proper one. "Be at ease, Sir. As I said, my survival response has been tested before and has not been found wanting." She added a slight hint of a smile at this point - smile 47, which always seemed to go over well in tense situations, "Besides, a creature needs a challenge every once in awhile to keep their teeth sharp and their pelt shiny. Rest assured, Professor. This will not end in a tragedy."
[To be continued ...]
The Semi Autonomous Varied Algorithm Network Trainer (Savant)
Senior Professor Solkar
Vulcan Science Academy
