Chapter 1 - Arrival
Location: Sentinel Station Docking Bay
The streaks that filled the viewport contracted into individual points of light as the shuttle dropped out of warp. Transitions had become mundane from repetition, but the sight before Captain Rose "Thorn" Petalosa as she navigated her small ship towards their destination was not. The massive metal planet caught her eye and her breath and it was a moment before she remembered what she was doing.
"Sentinel Station, this is DFA shutle Dragonfly on initial approach," She called to the starbase dwarfed by its companion.
=/\=DFA Dragonfly, welcome aboard,=/\= The Station replied cheerfully, it sounded excited, Thorn and her party were the first group of guests to arrive for the conference. Station's voice had a melodic quality to it, it was of a higher than average pitch, like its Bynar creators, but slower and clearer than the Bynar language. One of the docking bay doors opened, allowing the shuttle to enter, =/\=Please dock and I will show you to your quarters for the stay,=/\= it said happily.
"Well, guys, we're here," Thorn said over her shoulder where her passengers... and Smoke, who was taking advantage of the journey to soak up as much attention from the Borg they carried as he could. She was the reason they'd needed one of the larger shuttles: they'd been uncertain of the station's accomodations and had installed a regeneration booth, just in case.
Jack rolled his head toward the viewport. He was certain the voices he'd heard were a dream. Gods his head hurt. Brilliant idea celebrating with On a after an arduous away mission. Brilliant until her desk top comm activated at 0400 hours notifying her to report for an AI conference.
She'd checked the manifest and found Jack's name as well. They'd had one hour to get ready to embark. A half hour was spent with Jack reeling from the night before. A private stash of Terran alcohol. It seemed like a good idea the night before.
Tas had a big grin on his Ferengi face, his eyes shining with excitement as he scrambled out of the shuttle, the docking bay was bigger than Cromwell's. He didn't even bother to contain his enthusiasm as he grinned at the vole on his shoulder, even though AI was not something he knew a lot about but he was excited to see Sentinel Station.
Codey sniffed at the air when she exited the shuttle, she was still cautious around Smoke and had not left Tas during the journey but she now darted from the Ferengi's head briefly and explored her immediate surroundings before returning to him.
"Make the voices stop," Jack muttered. Ona snickered, "Oh, that's only the start. You'll be hearing voice after voice at this conference. Better buck up and start on coffee as soon as we dock."
"You...are no help whatsoever," Jack managed. He opened one eye and looked down at his uniform tunic. Hideously wrinkled. He thought someone had mentioned a change of clothes. 'Oh right, it was Ona...no help whatsoever,' he thought. He sought the coolness of the view portal with his forehead. He was in bad, bad shape.
Six of Twelve had spent almost the entire journey complying with Smoke's well-executed commands (to be petted), this combined with her own interest in the conference lead to a decidedly content drone who now scanned the shuttle bay, instantly feeling comfortable in the busy Station.
Michael had spent much of the flight catching up on sleep. Wishi had offered to watch MJ for him, and with Michael having no needed duties aboard the shuttle, a nap had seemed best. He came instantly awake as they slowed to sublight and made their approach. He waited until the others had stepped out of the shuttle before following.
With Ona's not so subtle support, she and West made their way out the portal and onto the docking ring. West grimaced with each small sound, mostly clangs and thuds, that rang through the docking ring. "This is torturous," he whispered to Ona. She pulled him upright, "You need to follow me and change uniforms somehow, someway, asap. You'll be on report before the keynote speaker."
Jack flinched, "Oh gods, more voices."
El arrived with a scone in one hand and an iced tea in the other, her usual coffee stash had been compromised and until she found the culprit, Hibiscus Lemonade would have to do. Her, pretty cute, supplier did say it was like "an adventure in a cup" but the lack of caffeine seemed to be less of an adventure and more of a pain in the neck.
A glowing blue orb appeared in front of the DFA Crew before rearranging into an equally blue and luminous humanoid.
Station's ancillary smiled at its newest residents, "Hello, I am Station, welcome aboard," it greeted warmly.
"You are the Station?" Six of Twelve asked perplexed, scanning the hologram in front of her, "explain.."
"I think of the physical Station as my body," Station obliged, "my intelligence, the computer system, that is like my brain, and these ancillaries... they are physical representations for my users, and for me I suppose... I can be in many places at once with them, you could say that they are my drones." it said, grinning at the Borg.
Six seemed to understand Station's explanation well, the ancillaries were a part of it, performing different functions about the rest of it and its mind was sort of like the Collective, she thought, a large entity in many places at once.
Ona felt Jack tensing up during the 'robot' exchange, "Shhhhh," she said. "No, it's not fair," he whispered, "they don't even talk straightforward, it's like cyber-torture. I confess. I did it.. Just stop talking." His voice had started to raise slightly and Ona grip his bicep tightly and feigned a small in Michael's direction.
Michael wasn't sure how comfortable he was with an AI bieng 'the station'. But no one had asked him, so he kept quiet.
Thorn had heard stories of how some of the higher-end resorts used similar systems - basically holographic representations that were designed to think they were the resort - to enhance their guests' experience, so while she thought it was a little odd that Starfleet would use something similar, her uncle Tony had always told her that Starfleet was a little odd to begin with.
A robot? Cool! Thought El.
"Can you tell me your names please?" Station asked, "so that I can check you off my register, we have a lot of people coming today."
"This drone's designation is Six of Twelve, Adjunct of DFA Cromwell-B, Tactical Drone." Six replied.
"Coffee. Where is the coffee?" Jack said aloud. He was now standing as straight as he could but not without a noticeable sway. "I'm Jack, surely there must be coffee somewhere nearby." Ona was horrified. Had she not been clenching his arm, she would have found her way across the docking ring.
She spoke quickly, "He's rebounding from...antibiotics. Something from the last mission. Forgive him." Ona's fractured smile spoke volumes.
"Hold on," Station said, cheerfully, a few minutes later another of its ancillaries appeared, having walked from the nearest replicator. It handed Jack a large cup of coffee.
Jack used both hands to accept the offering, "Oh, thank gods, you're angel."
He began sipping the coffee to accelerate his recovery.
Michael looked jealously at the cup, but held his silence. He'd worry about recaffeinating later.
Ona straightened her own tunic and nodded with confidence, "Ona, Stellar Cartography, pleasure to be here. I know Jack and I..." Jack weaved in a small circle and winked at Station, "...will enjoy this immensely." Jack was starting to come fully awake and feel the full effects of his pounding hangover. He was aware of the eyes on them and he did his best to look professional.
"Ensign Tas," Tas said looking curiously at the hologram, "and this is Codey, my pet Cardassaian vole, I did register her in advance," he said somewhat nervously.
"Captain Petalosa," Thorn replied. She had also pre-registered - offered to host a round-table, even - but she was sure the 'AI' already knew that.
"I'm El, pleased to..." El realised her hands were full and so stuffed the rest of her scone into her mouth, leaving her hand free to shake. "Noice tuh meetchyoo!" crumbs fell from her pastry stuffed gob.
"Colonel Michael Reynolds," Michael said when his time came.
"And Dr. Mi'Khail tr'Khllrenz," a voice said from just off his shoulder. Michael turned in surprise.
"Dr. Welcome," Michael said, offering his hand.
Mi'Khail looked at it, like it was offensive, and then put his arms around the marine and hugged him.
"You two want a room?" a female voice asked from behind him.
"Nails?" Rose asked, spinning to face the familiar voice. It was unlikely enough that she'd come: officially, she was there to try and learn more about Six. Unofficially... well, she had her reasons. But t'Roberg? Had she found a recording of the Cer'dan presentation from last year? Rose had meant to suggest it, but had never gotten the chance before Nails' sudden recall.
"Thorn," Nails greeted with an enigmatic smile.
"Willow. Always a pleasure," Michael said, bowing slightly.
She arched an eyebrow. "What? No hug for me?" She turned to the AI. "Arrain Willow t'Roberg," she said. "Pilot and escort for Dr.. tr'Khllrenz."
Michael hugged her, too.
"Are you sure you want to attend?" Mi'Khail asked her. "I wouldn't have thought you interested in AIs?"
Willow shrugged. "I'm mostly interested in the libations. These conferences tend to have good parties. And the company doesn't suck overly much," she said, looping her arm through Mi'Khail's.
"Careful. People might talk," he warned her.
"Let them. They're just jealous of me, hanging on the arm of a DILF.."
Smoke recovered his composure much quicker and planted himself in front of the Romulan pilot, panting a greeting at her before cocking his head to study her companion.
Nails crouched down to get on eye level with the beast and scratched behind his ears. "Such a good boy," she said. "And so is he," she added, tossing a thumb in the doc's direction. "Be nice to him."
"I... I didn't expect you to be here," Rose told her with the awkward uncertainty of just what their relationship was.
"The doc needed a ride, I could use a few days off." She shrugged. "And there's no alert 5 for me here, so... I can get a little tipsy if I feel like it... Good to see you, Thorn."
At the mention of the word 'tipsy' Jack looked to Ona for approval, and she refused to look his way.
"Six," Thorn said, turning her attention to the cause of so much trouble during their previous encounter. "You will not ask anyone on the station about their reason or ability to resist, or their species or governments' military capabilities unless specifically allowed by that individual. You will not accept any direct commands from any non-DFA perssonnel without first verifying it with a member of Cromwell's crew..." She turned to look at the Colonel. "Did I miss anything?" She asked.
"Don't kill anyone," Michael said. "Don't even stun anyone, unless someone's life is in danger."
"Solid advice. I like Michael," Jack whispered to Ona.
"We will comply," Six promised, she puzzled for a moment, "but... if we shoot someone, are we not, therefore, putting their lives in danger?"
Michael caught the whisper, and grinned crookedly at Jack. The grin evaporated, though, when Six asked the question. "Six, your very presence puts lives in danger. Just... behave yourself. Okay?"
"We understand," Six confirmed.
Michael doubted that, but he appreciated her trying.
Station was slightly concerned about having both Borg and Romulans aboard it, especially when it had heard the Borg specifically being told 'don't kill anyone', neither species had a great track record but then, neither did Cardassians and Magar was one of its friends.
"This way," Station said cheerfully, several more ancillaries, all identical to the one that was directing them, appeared to carry baggage.
Station showed the RSE and DFA crew to their quarters, they were similar to Cromwell's in general layout but Station was deliberately accommodating, the AI generally went out of its way to try and please its users so it had adjusted the lighting in the Romulan rooms to match the preferences in its database, it had also specifically downloaded several Romulan recipes into the replicator for its guests.
"Do you have a regeneration unit?" It asked Six, "I do not know how to make one, if you do not I will ask Chief Petty Officer Eiwan.."
Six informed Station that she had a regen unit in the shuttle and Station nodded, that was one thing of its list anyway.
"If any of you need or want me please say Station, Sentinel Station or Computer and I will appear," Station told the group.
Station took each person to their quarters individually, delivering their luggage with a number of holograms who disappeared once finished.
Jack, one hand on the bulkhead, one balancing the cup of coffee, gave a nod and grin and headed in.
"I'll see you at the gathering," called Ona. She watched Jack make his way into his quarters, she shook her head, grinned
=/\=Thirteen to Sentinel Station, Federation shuttle Falcon requesting permission to dock=/\=
As it had done with Thorn and the RSE shuttle, Station opened the docking bay once more for Horizon's arrivals...
Thirteen disconnected from her console and stepped out.
"It's nice to see you in person," Station cheerfully greeted Thirteen, "welcome aboard," it said to the party.
"Not in person nor in the flesh..." chimed in Sebastyen.
"Well... she is in person I think," Station said confusedly, "though I do not suppose she has any flesh..." it agreed, not that it had mentioned any flesh, to begin with.
He stage-whispered to Marco... "These machines prefer to talk to each other in preference over us. Notice the syntax changes?"
"Not really," Marco simply said. He had agreed to go with Thirteen to the conference, but he hadn't known that Sebastyen would go as well. He had spent most of the time in the cockpit working on his new shuttle, designing modules for it and ignoring the rest of the people onboard.
"Basing an assumption on a sample size of one individual is decidedly illogical Sebastyan," Thirteen commented.
"I apologise," Station said, "I did not notice the syntax changes, but I suppose it is probably to do with familiarity. Organics are somewhat less formal with those they are familiar with, correct? I'm still getting used to my feelings so I cannot always predict how they will affect my speech pattern but Thirteen and I sometimes communicate over subspace.. I can assure you that I do not prefer talking to artificial users over organic users, you're all the same to me."
"Organics are all the same to her..." Sebastyen said with a smirk. "So often a prejudice begins with a flippant dismissal of non-uniqueness."
"The station said that she had no preference between artificial and organic users," Marco corrected. He really didn't know what the man had against artificial life forms. He could understand having something against the Borg, but people like Data or Thirteen he didn't.
"That is not what I meant," Station said anxiously, it hadn't meant to offend anyone, "I meant that I treat organic and artificial lifeforms the same, the you in question was all of you, not just organics, do you understand?"
"Organics are no different than Artificial life forms?" asked Sebastyen. "Or did you mean Artificial life forms are no different than Organics?" asked Sebastyen. Oh this was going to be a good conference.
"Those two sentences have the same meaning!" a decidedly exasperated and confused Station replied.
"Ignore him," Thirteen said, "he does it too me as well, makes my words mean things they do not."
Station did not seem happy, Thirteen didn't care one way or another what Sebastyan thought of her but Station was sensitive in that way, it wanted its users to like it and it certainly didn't want to be the cause of offence.
"Can we move on," Marco asked, "I want to take a few hours of rest before we start this conference."
"Thank you," Thirteen said, "did you get my request about charging?"
"Yes, your data port is a standard Federation port so it was not difficult.." it turned its focus to the rest of the group, "I am Sentinel Station, I can show you to your quarters now? Oh, and can I have your names for my register please?"
"Sure, lieutenant commander Marco Angelucci, chief engineer, Starbase Horizon," Marco said, giving his full title. He had some experience with artificial intelligences and he didn't want any problems.
"Oh, You have the registry!" said Sebastyen suddenly interested. "Has Miss King checked in yet?"
"I do not think so," Station replied, checking through the register for conference arrivals.
"Hmm," said Sebastyen. "First name Jo, But..."
"I cannot find anyone under the name of Jo King, at least not yet, there is still considerable time before the conference though."
"She may not be using that name," said Sebastyen. "Are you capable of being discrete?"
"I can keep a secret," Station told him, "well, provided it is not anything I'd have to report but I do not think I can be discrete in presence really because my ancillaries glow and so most people can see them from considerable distance... what did you need me to be discrete about?"
"Please, if you could, ask your attendees, if they have gone by that name or are you she?" asked Sebastyen. "I would very much like to speak to her in person.." He hoped if Station asked, she may just respond.
Station smiled, "that I can do," it said before asking a number of those there for the conference if they had ever gone by the name 'King'.
There was a pause of around 10 minutes and Station's ancillary was showing Sebastyan, Thirteen and Marco to their quarters while it made contact with its residents...
"I have asked all new arrivals if they have ever gone by the name King and none have," Station told Sebastyan once it had finished.
"You just asked everybody... Just now?" asked Sebastian sounding incredulous, and perhaps a bit impressed, or awed.
"Yes," Station confirmed, "I asked each of my new residents individually if they had ever gone by the name 'King'"
"Ah, well, that's probably why. First and last name. I am not surprised you had no hits with just 'have you ever gone by the name King.' And ask in private. She is shy, which is why I have never met her in person. You need to ask them 'Are you..."
"Understood," Station said but it soon returned the same result.
Sebastyen sighed. "Either she has not arrived, or is here under an assumed name. Perhaps one of those you've asked really is her, but she will not answer unless she feels secure and comfortable."
"That is possible," Station agreed, "if I tell them it is you looking for her do you suppose that will help?"
"Probably not. Jo doesn't know me.. Which is why I really wish to meet her," said Sebastyen.
"I see..." Station said, that made things more complicated, a shy person who may be using an alternate name who did not even know Sebastyan?. It stood little chance of getting her to reveal herself then, even if she was here.
"Oh... Maybe it is really a he... Joe..." said Sebastyen. "Like I said, never met her, er, him. You better include males in the questioning as well.
"I asked both males and females, I have a lot of species onboard and do not like to assume too much based on names, I will try again and I will mention that you wish to see them?"
"You may mention it, but I doubt it would have any positive influence on the responses." said Sebastyen. He would let Station do it's job on trying to put Sebastyen in touch with Jo King.. It was, after all, a large system designed to tend to it's inhabitants.
Station once again asked for 'Joe King' and it specified that the search request had come from Sebastyan Tafari, people were starting to get irritated by its strange question so it hoped Miss King showed up soon.
"Can you tell me where my quarters are," Marco asked.
"Yes I can," Station replied eagerly, splitting into two, "I can show you the way, if you will follow this ancillary?"
"Thanks," Marco replied, "and no worries, I'll find them. If you can just download the program onto my PADD, that would be great."
Station nodded and connected wirelessly to Marco's PaDD. It buzzed as the conference program and locations came up.
"Still nothing," Station said, "I will can ask people as they arrive though, not everyone is here yet? Are you sure this person would reveal his or herself to me though? You said they were shy and people who use alternate names often do not wish to be found."
It considered Ana (or Elizebeth) as it said that.
"Well, stay on it," encouraged Sebastyen. "She'll be turing up." Sebastyen turned around, "Oh, and a Whiskey Sour please."
Sebastyen called out to his travelling partners. "Mr. Marco, would you care for anything?"
"Just some rest," Marco said, "and it's Mr. Angelucci, or commander Angelucci if you want to be formal. See you later."
He left the group and went to his quarters for a relaxing shower and a bit of rest.
"Sorry Commander, Rest well." apologized Sebastyen. It was a silly mistake, he would have to look into making up during the conference if he could.
Station's second ancillary showed Marco to his quarters, the first still with Sebastyan.
"If you want me or need me for anything please just say Station, Sentinel Station or Computer and I will appear."
"Will do, thanks," Marco said. As soon as the hologram had disappeared, he took a relaxing shower and then shot a message to Horizon to see how things were going in engineering. He always was a bit nervous if he was away from the station for longer, especially with all the stuff that had happened lately. When he had gotten the reassurances that everything was fine, he could relax and have a nap.
"Have a nice day," Station said before the hologram vanished, leaving Marco alone in his quarters.
Another of Station's ancillaries appeared, carrying the drinks and gave them to the pair but it was only synthahol since it had been replicated.
"How about you Thirteen. An Ale, a pint... of WD 40?" asked Sebastyen.
"Nothing for me thank you," Thirteen said politely, either not getting the joke or ignoring it, it was difficult to tell.
Sebastyen shrugged, and went to his room to unpack.
"Sebastyen Tafari!" Station said eagerly before he reached his quarters, "I have a response, someone has informed me that Mr Joe King is in the Sushi bar."
At first Sebastyen was taken aback. So much so he almost asked if Sentinal Station was joking. What were the odds, then he realized it had been a message. He smiled. "Well then," he said. "Lead on MacDuff."
"Lay on MacDuff," Station corrected, "assuming you are quoting the Shakespeer play?"
Sebastyen sighed. Precision to the point of irritation. "You are, of course, correct," admitted Sebastyen. "Lay on MacDuff." he said, "Continue the fight. But everyone misquotes it. So much so, it, in and of itself is a valid quote worthy of repetition."
"Interesting," it said, "a misquote that gains enough popularity to become a cultural reference. Like 'Luke, I am your father' from the Star Wars films, the original line was "No, I am your father." or "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all," from Grimm's fairytales, the Queen in Snow White said "Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
Sebastyen quoted the Shakespearean McBeth "Lay on, Macduff, And damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'." It could be the rally cry for the conference. Sebastyen, the pitbull in the area with the machines. The John Henry for the 25th century. The stage was set. But first, the other players. Especially one clever enough to know who was Jo King.
"Did you want to perform the entire play?" Station asked, "We have the program in the holodeck, I can set it up if you wish?"
"Nevermind." Sebastyen told Station. "For now, my thoughts are my own. Station, please take me to this Sushi bar."