Summary: Doc enlists
the help of Captain Janeway and Reg Barclay to force the Federation to
deal with the issue they have long sidestepped...him.
Photons and Forcefields
Copyright September 2001
by Autopilot
The Doctor looked up as the
captain walked into sickbay. "Just a moment, Captain. I am finishing up
my reports on Miral Paris and B'Elanna. Miral is quite beautiful don't
you think?" His smile was full of paternal pride. "It's not often that
a doctor gets to deliver his goddaughter." He gave her a sardonic look.
"And it's even rarer that the godfather is a hologram."
Kathryn Janeway smiled and said,
"I'm afraid I haven't gotten the chance to see her yet, Doctor. Our sudden
return has overloaded my schedule, so my personal time has been nonexistent,
but I'm planning on going to see her next. Miral is very lucky to have
you as her godparent, Doctor." Her smile faltered and her eyes looked sad
as she said, " I think Chakotay will be envious of you having that role
in her life. He's going to have to settle for being a fond uncle instead."
The Doctor gave her a tightlipped
smile and rearranged a PADD on his desk. Kathryn straightened and asked,
"You said you wanted to see me, Doctor?"
He looked up at her and his
mien was serious, "Yes, Captain. I… I need your help." The Doctor stood
and walked slowly around his office, talking as he paced. "Miral's birth
crystallized a decision I' ve been mulling over since the trial dealing
with my holonovel. Being a godparent usually means that I would be responsible
for Miral if anything happened to her parents, but being a hologram I have
no recognized rights. If anything did happen to Tom or B'Elanna, I would
not have any say in Miral' s fate. Just being declared an artist does nothing
to further my rights as a citizen in the Federation or as a godparent."
He finally met Kathryn's startled eyes. "Voyager's return to the Alpha
Quadrant has accelerated my timetable, and I need to act quickly. I would
like to file a cause of action suit with the Federation Council to finally
establish my sentience. I want to force the Federation to define me as
a 'person' with the acknowledged rights of all of society," he said squaring
his shoulders. "I can't fight for hologram rights until the Federation
recognizes me as more than a piece of hardware." He picked up a medical
tricorder and brandished it for emphasis.
Kathryn sat down on the edge
of his desk, her mind racing. "I can see your point, Doctor. But why the
urgency?"
The Doctor stepped closer, his
voice earnest, " Captain, if I wait I will become just another piece of
equipment to be analyzed. You know that Starfleet will be poring over the
ship, examining all of the curiosities we picked up in the Delta Quadrant.
But if I can file my grievance before the Federation, then my program will
be inviolate until after my sentience has been decided upon."
Kathryn nodded, "I see your
point, Doctor. Of course I'll help you. What can I do for you? Do you want
me to file the suit on your behalf?"
The Doctor's smile was filled
with gratitude. "Yes, Captain. I'm going to contact Reginald Barclay. He
can arrange for someone who's an expert on sentience hearings to advise
me, but I'd like you to bring the suit. Not only would it express your
confidence in my right to be declared sentient, but I think it would bring
my struggle to the forefront of the Federation newscasts. You are the intrepid
captain of Voyager, after all."
The captain looked mildly amused,
"Don't worry, Doctor. I think your fight will get news coverage on its
own merits." She gently laid her hand on his shoulder, thinking how exceptional
he was. " I know someone who I want to call in on this as well, if you'll
trust me. He's a bit of a celebrity in his own right." She grinned.
The Doctor nodded, "Of course,
Captain. And thank you."
Kathryn smiled gently. "No thanks
are necessary, Doctor. I count it an honor to be able to help my friends."
She held his eyes solemnly for a moment before turning to leave.
The Doctor beamed after her.
He suddenly went into motion. Returning to his desk, he activated his monitor.
"Computer, contact Mr. Reginald Barclay of the Pathfinder project…."
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
"That's right, Deanna, we'd
like you to appear at the Doctor's trial. You could present your professional
assessment, as a ship's counselor, of the Doctor." Reg smiled at her.
Deanna looked both surprised
and intrigued. "I'd be delighted, Reg. I'll need to let Captain Picard
know and then I'll rearrange my schedule so I can meet with the Doctor.
I'll also need the details of when I'm scheduled to appear before the court
so I can be ready."
Reg interrupted her timidly.
"D-De-Deanna, Captain Picard should already know about this. Last week,
just after Voyager returned to the Alpha Quadrant, the Doctor contacted
me. He had already asked Captain Janeway to file the case and yesterday
she told me that she had asked Captain Picard to take part in it. I suggested
to Captain Janeway that I thought Data would also be a good person to bring
in."
Deanna's face lit up. "Reg,
that's a wonderful idea. Have you talked to Data about this?" She smiled
warmly, " Data would definitely be interested in the prospect of representing
another artificial life-form at a sentience hearing."
"Yes, I've spoken to Commander
Data and he said it sounded most intriguing. He told me he would arrange
for some leave time from the Enterprise. Captain Picard will be co-counsel
but his schedule will constrain the amount of time he will have available
before the trial. Captain Janeway, the Doctor, and I came up with a list
of people that we would like to appear at the hearing and I am making the
contacts. Captain Janeway's time is also limited now and the Doctor is
going to be staying at Jupiter Station in Dr. Zimmerman's laboratory with
Haley. He said it was the closest thing he has to a home outside of Voyager."
She raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Have you told the Doctor about the codicil in Dr. Zimmerman's will regarding
him?"
Reg cleared his throat. "Well,
I didn't want to get his hopes up. I haven' t even told Haley about Lewis
changing his will to make her a ward of the Doctor if the Federation ever
acknowledges him sentient. But if they do, then I will tell the Doctor
about the research and the holographic art that Dr. Zimmerman left him
as well. I mean, Lewis wasn't even sure if Voyager would ever return or
if the Doctor would want to face this fight. I'm watching over everything
until it's decided anyway."
Deanna laughed. "Then it's in
good hands. Anyway I'm sure the Doctor will be busy preparing for this
and I can't imagine anyone better suited to help him than you, Reg. I'
ve been meaning to speak with you. How are you feeling? Voyager's sudden
return must have been quite a shock to you personally."
Reg struggled to appear cheerful.
"Yes, their return was a shock… to the whole Federation I think. I… I couldn't
be happier."
Deanna gave him an understanding
look. "But your feelings are ambivalent. This has been the fulfillment
of all you've struggled for. You' ve spent years imagining it, and now
you are faced with the reality."
Reg looked embarrassed. "I guess
I hadn't thought it through, Deanna. I imagined that they would be welcomed
with open arms. After all they' ve gone through and now to be faced with
the hostility that's being shown to the Maquis and to Captain Janeway.
Even the Doctor is having to fight to remain free."
"It is natural to feel this
way after you've anticipated an event for so long. Reality is always much
more complicated than our fantasies. But, it will be all right, Reg. Although
Starfleet's reaction may seem hostile, I think mostly it is the turmoil
created by the unexpectedness of their arrival. I doubt the Federation
will overlook the accomplishments of the Voyager crew. After all, they
did the impossible. In seven years, they managed to bring home their ship
and crew relatively intact after being flung over seventy thousand light
years away from home." Deanna watched as his face began to look more hopeful.
"You really think so?"
"Absolutely. Now, I believe
I should go and speak with Captain Picard about taking leave. You will
send me details about the trial date when it's set?"
He smiled. "Yes. Yes, of course."
She smiled back and continued,
"please, tell the Doctor that I look forward to seeing him again and to
getting to know him better. I'll see you soon."
He nodded. "I'll do that, and
thank you. For everything."
"Anytime, Reg." She grinned
then added mischievously, "except maybe when I'm on vacation with Will."
He blushed as she signed off.
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
Reginald Barclay glanced up
from the display panel he and the Doctor had been working on for the last
four weeks since Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant. Suddenly the doors
of the holodeck opened. "Data!" he exclaimed.
Data looked around, taking in
the simulation of a Federation courtroom. He extended his hand to Reg.
"It is good to see you again, Reg."
Reg took his hand excitedly.
"Data, I can't thank you enough for coming. Your help—and Captain Picard's
too, of course—will be invaluable in this case." Reg continued to shake
Data' s hand even as he talked.
Data looked down at their hands,
that were still in motion, before he met Reg's nervous stare. "Reg, you
may stop greeting me now. I do not doubt the sincerity of your desire to
have us take part in this suit. I am pleased to be asked to help. Captain
Picard will be joining us this evening. This case has been most stimulating."
Reg looked embarrassed as Data
separated their hands. "Sorry, Data. It's just that this case means so
much to me. You'll understand why when you meet all of them."
Data looked perplexed. "Them?
I thought the suit was brought on the behalf of the holographic Doctor
of Voyager. Is Dr. Zimmerman's assistant Haley or other holograms in question
as well?"
Reg wrung his hands nervously.
"No, Data. The suit is only on behalf of the Doctor. I was just speaking
in a broad sense about the Voyager crew as a whole."
Data led Reg over to a small
conference table. "Why don't you tell me more about the Doctor and the
Voyager crew? How did you come to be involved in this? I'm assuming it
started with your work on the Pathfinder Project."
Reg nodded his nervousness falling
away as his face took on an abstracted look. "Well it started when I came
on with the Pathfinder Project, but Voyager quickly came to mean more to
me…" Reg went on to tell Data about all of his experiences involving Voyager
and his attachment to the crew.
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
The Doctor finished entering
the results of an experiment he was doing before he shut down his terminal.
As a matter of course he checked the settings on his mobile emitter before
he exited the laboratory on Jupiter Station.
He nodded at people as he passed
them, though it still seemed strange to be surrounded by unfamiliar faces.
After seven years on Voyager he was just starting to adjust to their sudden
arrival in the Alpha Quadrant.. Entering a conference room set aside for
his case preparation, he paused in the entryway and met the eyes of the
figures standing at Reg Barclay's side. "Commander Data and Captain Picard
I presume."
Captain Picard shook hands with
the Doctor, eyeing him curiously. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Doctor.
My fiancée, Doctor Beverly Crusher, is very interested in meeting
you. Your case is especially fascinating to her because her opinion of
Emergency Medical Holograms has not been very positive."
The Doctor grinned, "Maybe I
can change that, Captain."
Picard smiled and gave the Doctor
a speculative look. "Perhaps you can at that, Doctor."
The Doctor then turned to face
Commander Data.
The golden skinned android stepped
forward and held out his hand to the Doctor. His yellow eyes were frankly
examining him. " Curious. Your appearance is identical to other Mark One
holograms. Did you not consider altering your appearance subroutines to
express your distinct preferences? I have studied your program and the
changes you have made are extensive but not in this area."
The Doctor smiled. "An interesting
question, Commander, and no doubt one pertinent to our case. My answer
is two-fold. We are both artificial life-forms, Commander. Our creators
designed us in their image just as biological life-forms are a reflection
of their parentage. I keep this visage to honor my creator, Dr. Zimmerman.
The second reason is this. If the court can recognize my individuality—
my sentience, perhaps the Federation will then look at all the other Mark
Ones. They will reevaluate the fate of holograms that have not been given
the extraordinary opportunities to grow beyond their programming that I
have been given. I am not just fighting for my rights, Mr. Data. The fate
of artificial life-forms and their potential are part of this case as well."
Data studied the Doctor's face
seeing his fervent conviction. "Mr. Barclay was not incorrect. You are
quite exceptional, Doctor."
The Doctor smiled in relief
and shook Data's hand.
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
Reg came scurrying into the
courtroom, his arms full of PADDs and his briefcase clutched awkwardly
in one hand. He jabbed people indiscriminately with his case as he pushed
his way up to the front of the courtroom. "Pardon me. Excuse me." He mumbled
without looking up from his PADD.
The Doctor's face was relieved
as he took the case from Reg's hand. "Good morning, Reg."
"I'm not late am I, Doctor?"
He looked around dazedly. "I had to talk to Deanna before I came. I needed
to work through a little anxiety I was having."
The Doctor shook his head, smiling
fondly. "Not at all, Reg. Don't worry. Mr. Data and Captain Picard aren't
even here yet. I just got here early to avoid the press."
Barclay gulped visibly. "Yes,
there were quite a few reporters out there weren't there? Luckily they
didn't know me.."
The Doctor grinned. "After today,
Reg, they won't have that problem."
Reg grimaced. "Oh, you think
so? But surely, Doctor, my part in this is minor. Commander Data and Captain
Picard are…"
Doc smiled and put his hand
on Reg's shoulder interrupting him. "No, Reg. Nothing you've done for me
or for Voyager has been minor. It hasn't gone unnoticed or unappreciated
either.."
Reg blushed and looked flustered.
"I… I was simply doing my job, Doctor."
The Doctor shook his head. "No,
Reg. As your friend, I don't believe it. I want to thank you. No matter
what the court decides; I couldn't have had any better ally than you."
Reg smiled shyly as the Doctor
clasped his shoulders. "I can't tell you how much that means to me, Doctor.
It's been a privilege to help."
Data entered the courtroom with
Captain Picard not far behind him and sat down. His yellow eyes calmly
met the Doctor's gaze as he said, "it is almost time to begin."
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
Starfleet had arranged for the
Hologram Sentience trial to be held on Jupiter Station to cut down on the
publicity. In the months since Voyager had returned to the Alpha Quadrant,
the heated debate over the fate of the former Maquis crewmembers and their
captain had dominated the newscasts.
In fact, the Doctor's sentience
trial would have been kept quiet if Commander Data had not neatly sidestepped
this issue. At the Doctor's request he had put the issue squarely into
the center of public debate by using the Doctor' s infamous holonovel "Photon's
Be Free" to draw attention to the author's plight.
Though the Doctor's holonovel
had been pulled from public access, rumor of it had spread, and pirated
copies were still floating around much to the bemusement of Starfleet officials.
The Voyager crew had even laughingly played up their exaggerated caricatures
in the holonovel to entice more publicity for all of the concurrent trials.
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
Four and a half months later
Doc was seated in his temporary quarters on Jupiter Station monitoring
the morning news transmissions.
This is Federation News Service.
A logo flashed across the
screen and a polished news anchor began talking about the day' s top news.
Since his hearing was ending today, Doc knew that it would probably garner
extended coverage and he wasn't wrong. The leading story was about his
trial.
We are going live to our
correspondent who has been covering this case.
Thank you Jeff, this is Jake
Sisko reporting from Jupiter Station where today we will hope to conclude
the Hologram Sentience trial. At stake is the future status of the Starship
Voyager's holographic physician, but this court's verdict could affect
the entirety of Federation space. FNS has covered the trial, transmitting
live coverage of the happenings in the courtroom, but we have prepared
a summary of the highlights of the trial featuring the notables who appeared
in this historic court case. Presiding over the case is Admiral Edward
Jellico of Starfleet Command.
Presenting Starfleet's case
is Commander Michael Westmore. Appearing as expert witnesses were some
of the Federation's top engineers and scientists, including Lieutenant
Commander Geordi La Forge, the Chief Engineer of the Starship Enterprise.
Commander La Forge:
"Yes, the medical holograms are programmed to learn and to make decisions
in performing their duties. The Mark One holograms were programmed with
the knowledge of over two hundred medical reference texts and the knowledge
of forty-seven individual medical officers. Referencing the information
they are already programmed with they then make decisions, but the hologram
has the ability to learn and to devise novel treatments as well."
Also taking part was Commander
Roger Dennison who co-created the Mark Four medical holograms that are
currently in service aboard Starfleet vessels as Emergency Medical Holograms.
Commander Dennison:
"Our aim was to create life-like beings who would instill a level of comfort
in their patients. The Mark Ones were felt to be lacking in interpersonal
skills but to be sound emergency medical practitioners. Voyager's hologram
has however been running for such an extended period of time that there
would have to be changes made to his programming to allow for expansion
of his subroutines. In proposing that the Voyager EMH is sentient you face
an additional problem when you consider the backup copy. Is it a sentient
being as well? My final analysis is that no matter how lifelike a hologram
is, it is still only a computer generated simulacrum."
The final witness for the
defense was Lieutenant T'Bor of Vulcan. T'Bor is a recipient of the Daestrom
award in holography and a specialist in artificial life-forms trained under
the late Commander Bruce Maddox.
Lieutenant T'bor:
"It is a common failing among many species to incorrectly assign emotions
to a piece of technology. Captains often refer to their ships as 'she'
and to develop an attachment and a belief that their ship will go farther
and do more for them and that the ship even returns their affection. The
Emergency Medical Holograms were designed to be lifelike and it is not
surprising that the crew of Voyager incorrectly assigns a persona to the
device. But the fact remains that the EMH is a part of the Starship computer
and when it is deactivated either for one minute or one century it is all
the same. Holograms are not aware of their environment while disengaged
and their personality is a result of programming not socialization. How
could it ever be considered sentient if it's not aware of its environment?"
Appearing on behalf of the
Holographic Doctor, were members of the senior staff of the Starship Voyager,
the Counselor of the Starship Enterprise, the Delta Quadrant Ambassador
Neelix, and Phillipa Louvois. Captain Louvois was Judge Advocate General
(JAG) at the sentience trial involving the lead counsel, Commander Data
also of the Enterprise. Captain Picard who is co-counsel at this trial
represented Data at that sentience trial. Captain Louvois has since then
gone on to become an expert in the area of sentience law.
Ambassador Neelix: "My
initial impression of the Doctor was that he was a machine, but Kes forced
the whole crew to reevaluate that idea. She worked closely with the Doctor
and she encouraged him to realize the possibility of his individuality.
I felt she was instrumental in helping the Doctor to move beyond the machine
and into consciousness."
Seven of Nine: "The
Doctor tutored me in social interaction to aid in my integration into the
Voyager crew. I believe this was because the Doctor had himself had to
learn these skills during his evolution. He helped me realize my own individuality,
and I value my relationship with him, though I do not reciprocate his feelings."
And "yes, the Doctor informed me, in front of the whole senior staff that
he had formed a romantic attachment to me… that he in fact loved me."
Lieutenant Tom Paris:
"I've worked with the Doc from the beginning of our time in the Delta Quadrant
as a field medic and I have seen the changes in him. I know I regard him
as a distinct individual and also as my friend. His attachment to Kes,
Denara Pel and finally to Seven were apparent to me. He had the same need
to be intimate with someone as any other member of the crew. He even created
a holographic family for himself." He laughs to himself before continuing,
"B' Elanna made a few changes to his construct to give him a family that
she considered was closer to reality than what he had created. Doc quickly
realized how unprepared he was for that particular fantasy. He instead
turned to singing and other fine arts as a creative outlet until he discovered
holographic novel writing. His book 'Photons Be Free' was a real eye-opener
for the whole crew but I think it revealed the Doc's need to be recognized
as a life-form."
Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres-Paris:
"Yes, I altered the Doctor's programming. I was trying to manipulate him
into making changes to my daughter's genetic structure. I was desperate
to remove her Klingon traits, but what I did was wrong. Luckily, the Doctor
forgave me for manipulating him in that manner and accepted when Tom and
I selected him to be godfather to our daughter, Miral. We chose him because
of how involved and caring he was in helping me adjust to this pregnancy
and because he is our friend. He took as much joy in anticipating our daughter's
arrival as we did, and we know she will be in good hands with Doc if anything
ever happens to us."
Counselor Deanna Troi:
"I evaluated the Doctor in my capacity as a ship's counselor but this was
not my first encounter with Voyager' s doctor. The Doctor was transmitted
back to the Alpha Quadrant to save the life of his creator Dr. Lewis Zimmerman.
At first Lewis was unbelievably hostile to the Doctor, and the Doctor'
s reaction was that of a son seeking his fathers acceptance and not finding
it. We were able to reconcile them by introducing a virus into the Doctor's
program. Doctor Zimmerman saved the Doctor's program and they were able
to finally connect. The Doctor did go on to save Lewis' life but it was
not just his medical skills that did this, it was the Doctor himself. He
made Lewis feel as if his efforts in designing the Mark One were not a
failure. I do believe the Doctor is a new life-form, as Dr. Zimmerman did
even if he is composed of light and forcefields. He has a personality capable
of desire, hatred, disdain, irony and even love. Even though I cannot sense
him as I sense organic life-forms, from my analysis of him I do not doubt
his emotional capacity. I saw it in action in his relationship with Lewis
Zimmerman."
Phillipa Louvois:
"Yes, I presided over the case that granted Commander Data of the Enterprise
status as a sentient being. I did not doubt that Data was a machine… an
artificial life-form but I found the supporting evidence, that showed Data
was self-aware, intelligent and capable of conscious moral choices credible.
My research has since shown that the definition of sentience is malleable,
enough to include a variety of artificial life-forms such as Data and the
holographic Doctor. We include beings of pure energy in our definition
already and it doesn' t seem an intellectual leap to recognize that the
Doctor is a being of pure energy. If the Doctor's programming could be
transferred to a positronic brain and body like Data' s we would not even
be having this discussion. His sentience would be recognized from legal
precedents."
Commander Tuvok: "I
have reservations about applying the term of sentient to a hologram, but
sentience itself is an ambiguous term. It raises the question of how we
determine whether an object possesses the capability to be self-aware and
to make independent choices. Because of this ambiguity, I believe that
the definition of sentience can be manipulated to mean whatever a society
finds useful at that time. Do we need holograms to serve as labor for our
society? If so, I believe that citizens will unconsciously justify it to
themselves by saying 'Well it may reason and communicate like us, but it
isn't really alive.' In fact, there is no way to establish to any degree
of certainty that any being is really sentient but we take it as a given
because we have done so since the beginning of civilization."
Commander Chakotay:
" The Doctor was on an away mission with Ensigns Kim and Jetal when they
were attacked. The ensigns were both badly injured and they required immediate
surgery. The Doctor was forced to choose between them though this meant
one of the ensigns wouldn't make it. That choice tortured him and caused
a conflict that he felt unable to resolve. He even asked to be deactivated.
The captain ultimately chose to let the Doctor work out his own solution
to this problem knowing that it was just part of being an individual. A
machine would not have been troubled by the loss of one life. It would
have weighed the usefulness of both individuals and made a cold-blooded
choice. The Doctor felt the burden of guilt such choices carry, but he
found a way to live with them as we all do."
Captain Janeway: "Yes,
the court case over the Doctor's rights regarding his holonovel decided
that the arbitrator did not feel comfortable extending the definition of
a person to include him, but they did declare he would be labeled an artist
with an artist' s rights. My response to the decision is that the Doctor
is more than an artist, more than a physician, and much more than a hologram.
I have watched the Doctor struggle to define himself. He has become one
of the most humane and caring individuals it's been my pleasure to serve
with. And I do mean individual... he is distinctive, and simply treating
him as a piece of technology disparages his journey. The voyage through
the Delta Quadrant shaped us all… it forged us into a family. I came to
count the Doctor as an integral part of that family and I am here today
because I have no doubt of his right to be declared sentient."
The support of the remainder
of Voyager's senior staff and similar statements from the entire crew were
submitted into evidence. The last witness to be called today by the defense
will be the Doctor himself. Then the closing arguments will follow. Public
opinion about the holographic doctor has been mixed but overall polling
has the edge to the Doctor. Federation prosecutors unsympathetic to the
Doctor's suit have attributed this to the public's desire to give support
to the Voyager crew. Now back to you, Jeff.
Thank you, Jake. And in other
news the verdicts announced yesterday in the Voyager Maquis trials have…"
The Doctor switched off his
viewscreen and stood as the door chime sounded. Reg Barclay stepped hesitantly
into the room. His face was smiling but his hands dry-washed themselves
in his anxiety. "Ready to go, Doctor?"
The Doctor smiled and squared
his shoulders. "Let's go, Reg."
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
The Doctor met the eyes of the
Starfleet attorney. Commander Mike Westmore smiled congenially as he faced
the holo-doctor. "Good morning, Doctor. I have only a few questions for
you. If you would indulge me, could you tell me what happens to your program
when you hear the words 'Computer deactivate the EMH'?"
The Doctor frowned. "In my early
days on Voyager I had to ask crewmen to shut down my program when they
left sickbay. I was greatly annoyed at being left idle when my programming
clearly indicated I was to be used for emergency use only. But because
of the death of Voyager's medical officer my role had to be expanded. B'
Elanna Torres, our Chief Engineer altered my program so that I could initiate
and shut down my program, as I deemed fit. She gave me freedom and I used
it to increase my responsibilities, to pursue hobbies, and to learn."
Commander Westmore held up his
hand interrupting the Doctor. "What I want to know, Doctor, is what happens
when your program is shut down."
The Doctor frowned, "I am deactivated.
My program is held in the computer or in my mobile emitter until it is
activated again."
"So you cease to exist and you
are unaware of your surroundings when you are inactive?"
"Yes. I am unaware of my surroundings,
but no, I do not cease to exist. My holographic body ceases to exist but
my persona is intact." The Doctor struggled with his irritation.
Commander Westmore smiled. "I
see the distinction you are trying to make. Can you be killed?"
"Certainly I can be destroyed,
Commander." The Doctor's face was indignant. "My program can be decompiled.
Anything that can be created can be destroyed or 'killed' if you will.
It's an elementary principle in all science."
"Doctor, can you tell me of
any sentient creatures that are unaware of their environment when they
are inactive?"
The Doctor paused thoughtfully.
"Of course, Commander. If you were in a coma, you would be unaware of your
surroundings though you would still be counted sentient."
Commander Westmore picked up
a tricorder from the defense tabletop, adjusting it. "Ah, yes. Very clever,
Doctor. So your program exists even when the holographic projection of
that program is shut down because you become a subset of the ship's computers.
What about Commander Dennison's question about the status of the backup
of your program, Doctor? Records show that Voyager lost a backup copy of
your program during conflict with a Delta Quadrant species. Should your
backup copy, if it could be recovered, be granted sentient status as well?"
"Commander, comparing me to
the backup copy of my program is like comparing me to an identical twin.
What would happen if one twin was left safely at home, never exposed to
anything beyond their first day of life, but the second twin went out into
the world and learned new skills, new interests. The second twin would
be vastly more complex than the embryonic twin, though they would be genetically
identical. That is the relationship between my backup copy and me. I continue
to change with each new experience I face."
Commander Westmore cleared his
throat noisily, interrupting the Doctor. "I'll take that as a yes, then.
So the backup copy could be sentient as well. Well, Doctor. What about
all of the other Mark Ones? Are they sentient as well? How about all holograms?
Would you have the court protect the rights of holograms on all the holodecks
in all the holoprograms throughout the Federation?" His voice ridiculed
the idea.
The Doctor looked sad and he
shook his head regretfully. "No, Commander. I don't expect the Federation
to look beyond their preconceived notions regarding holograms. I don't
expect any sentient being," his voice dripped sarcasm, "to regard the Mark
Ones or any other complex holo life-form, as capable of more than their
prejudice allows. Isn't that what all of this boils down to, Commander?
Bigotry?"
Mike Westmore's face looked
faintly embarrassed. This time when he cleared his throat, it was from
discomfort not in an attempt to be rude. "Very well, Doctor. Let' s follow
up on your status when you are deactivated. Your program is contained in
the ships mainframe, is it not?"
"Yes, when I'm deactivated you
could say the computer is my quarters, Commander. I do reside within the
ships mainframe." Doc gave the commander a frosty look. " But since I came
to Jupiter station, my program has resided in my mobile emitter."
The commander's face lit up
in a smile. "Your mobile emitter. Yes, it is an interesting piece of technology.
It was from the 29th century, wasn' t it? But the same parameters
hold there as in the computer. You can be activated and deactivated at
the will of a living being… the same living beings that created your program?"
The Doctor smiled smugly. "Yes,
Commander my mobile emitter was brought back from the 29th century.
But no, my mobile emitter has been modified so that only Captain Janeway,
Lieutenant B' Elanna Torres, or I can deactivate my program. I asked that
this be done so that I could have sovereignty over my existence. I wanted
control over my fate and that is also the reason that I asked that this
issue be brought to trial."
The commander's eyebrows rose
in astonishment, "But your programming can still be altered, can it not?
Didn' t the Captain of the Federation starship Equinox delete your ethical
sub-routines? You caused serious harm to a member of your crew then, didn't
you? You became a cold-blooded killer at the touch of a button."
The Doctor's face was grim and
his voice was angry. " Yes, I did cause harm because of that deletion,
and that led me to this decision. I have made my program impregnable as
any other self-aware creature would. Tell me, Commander, if you had an
Achilles' heel, would you advertise it? No you would act as I have. I am
more than some phantom created by forcefields and light. Can a forcefield
feel love? Can light feel pain? No, but I can. Not because it was in my
programming, but because I have learned to."
Westmore looked incredulous
at the Doctor's response. "I see, and how are you different from any other
computer program, Doctor?" He held up his tricorder scanning the Doctor.
"Hmm…forcefields and photons. That is all that you are isn't it, Doctor?"
"Commander Westmore, the human
brain is comparable to a computer. Constant activity, impulses, regulating
activities, and processes. Human beings have even successfully transferred
their consciousness into computers, just as I am transferred. My program
is described through algorithms and heuristic subroutines. It is a description
of my thought processes, my regulating activities, impulses. In addition
it contains descriptors for my physical parameters. I am a complex organism
just as you are, Commander. I just happen to be contained within a physical
form composed of forcefields and photons."
"Doctor, Captain Phillipa Louvois
compared you to energy beings which are acknowledged sentient. But those
energy beings were not created from the imagination of corporeal beings.
They are not artificial constructs made in the form of another species."
Commander Westmore approached the Doctor, his face stern.
"Commander, have you ever used
a transporter?" The Doctor's face was haughty.
Mike Westmore paused, "Yes,
Doctor. Of course I have used a transporter. Very few Federation citizens
have not."
"So Commander, you were broken
down by a computer, stored in a buffer for a fraction of a moment. In effect,
you became a creature of energy. Your persona, your individuality, what
makes you unique in this universe…it was reduced to a pattern. When you
were rematerialized did you count yourself any less of a person? Were you
reduced by the experience of being part of a piece of technology for that
time? Yes, I am an artificial construct. Dr. Lewis Zimmerman created me,
here on Jupiter Station. My program, the definition of who I am is stored
in a computer. My physical form is made up of photons and forcefields.
But I am an individual. I have desires. I have dreams. I have a purpose.
You do not doubt my intelligence. Yet, you still question my self-awareness
though a qualified Starfleet counselor has examined me. I can only guess
that you doubt if I possess a soul. But that cannot be determined by a
court of law, Commander. That can only be determined by my actions over
the course of my life."
Commander Westmore stared at
the Doctor before glancing over at Admiral Jellico. "No more questions
at this time, Admiral."
Admiral Jellico nodded curtly
and turned to Captain Picard and Commander Data. "Your witness, Commander.
If you will be needing much time, we can adjourn until tomorrow."
Commander Data rose. "Thank
you, Admiral. We only have one question for the Doctor."
Jellico nodded and said, "Very
well, then. Continue."
Data turned to the Doctor. "In
the course of your entire voyage in the Delta Quadrant you have created
a life for yourself, struggled to define your existence, but you have never
given yourself a name. Can you explain why?"
The Doctor looked at Data seriously.
" In the beginning of our journey I had wanted to pick the name of someone
I admired, but each time I thought of a choice I would change my mind again.
It became something of a joke, and I have no doubt that the betting pool
on Voyager made book on my choice. Somewhere along our journey the crew
became more important to me than defining my own identity with a name.
These people became my family. I made a vow to myself that I would honor
them somehow when I came to select a name. So I have finally chosen… here
at the end of our adventure together. If his family will allow it, I'd
like to choose the name of Joseph Carey Zimmerman. To honor the last Voyager
to fall in the line of duty, and to honor my creator Dr. Zimmerman."
Data looked at Admiral Jellico
and then at the Doctor. "That will be all Dr. Zimmerman and thank you."
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
Commander Westmore and Captain
Picard gave closing arguments. Both were counted to be eloquent and stirring…but
the decision was in the hands of Admiral Edward Jellico alone. The admiral
called for a recess with the court to be reconvened at 1900 hours of the
same day.
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
This is Federation News Service.
The
logo flashed before the camera faded to show Jake Sisko's smiling face.
Hello this is Jake Sisko
reporting for FNS direct from Jupiter Station. The court is reconvening
to conclude the case deciding the sentience of Voyager's Holographic Doctor.
We are going to switch to live coverage of the courtroom to hear the verdict.
Admiral Jellico's gravelly
voice filled the courtroom. " I have considered the case presented by both
sides and by the legal precedent cited by Commander Data about Commander
Data. I will admit that when I first reviewed this case I was skeptical
about the idea of a computer generated hologram claiming sentience, but
over the years I have encountered equally unlikely scenarios. The definition
of sentience incorporates many vague terms but my preconceived conditions
are intelligence, self-awareness and the capability to make independent
choices. Sentience is a byproduct of the complexity of self-evolution.
I have listened to the crew of Voyager and to the 'experts' and I can't
say that I see much conflict. There is no doubt that the Doctor started
life as an intricate computer program that mimicked human life. Forced
by the exigencies of being stranded in the Delta Quadrant with no replacement
medical practitioner, the EMH of necessity evolved into something more.
I cannot tell you when sentience begins, but I recognize in this being
the individuality and self-determination of an independent mind. Whether
his body is made up of photons and forcefields, titanium and positronic
relays, or flesh and bones his status would be the same. The court finds
that the Doctor, Joseph Carey Zimmerman of the Starship Voyager is a sentient
being who is granted full rights of citizenship in the Federation." Admiral
Jellico banged his gavel twice. "Court adjourned."
Dr. Joe Zimmerman bounded to
his feet to shake hands and hug all his well-wishers. First and foremost
among them was Reginald Barclay. "We did it, Reg!"
Captain Janeway elbowed her
way through the crush of reporters to smile and hug the Doctor. "Congratulations
Doctor, some of the crew of Voyager and of the Enterprise are waiting to
celebrate with you."
=^= =^= =^=
=^= =^= =^=
Kathryn held up her glass of
champagne, before glancing around at all of the familiar faces gathered
here to celebrate the end of the trial. "To Doctor Joseph Carey Zimmerman
the newest citizen in the Federation." She turned to the Doctor gently
touching her glass to his before taking a sip. Kathryn gave him an amused
look and said, "who would have guessed at your choice for a name." She
grinned to herself at the irony of the Doctor choosing the same first name
in this timeline as the Doctor in Admiral Janeway's timeline. Even if he
did it for completely different reasons.
The newly dubbed Dr. Joe Zimmerman
grinned, "I can imagine what Tom' s response will be, but I hope it is
a fitting tribute to all of our fallen crewmen. Do you think Sarah Carey
will find it acceptable?"
Kathryn
looked distinctly uncomfortable at his question. "I'm afraid I don't…"
Samantha
Wildman's voice broke in. "Excuse me, Captain. I couldn't help but overhear
the Doctor's question."
Joe smiled
widely at Samantha. "Ms. Wildman, I'm glad you were able to be here today.
I'm flattered that so many of the crewmembers of Voyager were able to come
and support me. Do you have an answer to my question? Will Mrs. Carey find
my choice of name acceptable?"
Sam shook
her head regretfully. "Doctor, I'm not sure Sarah Carey would be receptive
to anything about Voyager right now. She's very bitter about Joe's death,
but I think it's a lovely idea. I think Sarah may come to appreciate your
gesture, given time to heal and a tactful approach to the subject."
The Doctor
nodded thoughtfully for a moment before he squared his shoulders decisively.
"Thank you Ms. Wildman. Captain," he said looking down into her troubled
eyes. "If you don't mind, I' d like to approach Mrs. Carey personally about
the subject of my name choice."
Kathryn
nodded and gave him a lopsided smile. "Of course, Doctor. I'm afraid I
haven't had the chance to contact Sarah yet, but I will remedy that soon.
I' d like to talk to her about Joe and his extraordinary service aboard
Voyager. He was a good man."
The Doctor
noticed the brooding regretful look on her face and scanned the room for
a distraction. He knew that the captain was thinking of all the deaths
among her crew. When the Doctor spotted Reginald Barclay standing with
Deanna Troi and Commander William Riker across the room, a sudden idea
came to him. "Excuse me, Captain, but I have a request to make."
Kathryn listened to his softly
spoken words and a luminous smile lit up her face. Deanna Troi felt the
wash of Captain Janeway's emotions across the room and glanced over. The
Doctor looked pleased and full of anticipation. The captain nodded and
moved over to a computer terminal. Though her face resumed the normally
dignified command face of a Starship captain, Deanna could feel her joy
simmering underneath. This was a relief compared to the carefully controlled
somberness the captain had been concealing before.
Will Riker noticed Deanna's
attention was elsewhere as Data walked over to speak to Reg. He leaned
over to whisper in her ear, "What is it, Deanna? I recognize that look
of satisfaction, though I don't usually see it outside of our quarters."
His grin was impudent.
Deanna gave him a look of tolerant
scorn. "Really, Commander? I'll keep that in mind the next time we're alone."
Riker grinned wider, "You can
count on it, Deanna. But seriously, what's got you so distracted?"
Her face looked mysterious.
"Wait and see, Will. I love a good surprise as much as you do."
Captain Janeway and Dr. Joe
Zimmerman crossed the room to join their group. Kathryn caught the attention
of an ensign who supplied everyone with fresh glasses of champagne.
"I'd like your attention please."
Captain Kathryn Janeway's voice cut across the hum of conversation, silencing
it. "Years ago the Pathfinder Project allowed Voyager to have the first
contact with Starfleet Command, and I proposed a toast when we celebrated
the event. Now here we are… finally home together. New friends, family,
and longtime comrades. I ask you to raise your glasses once again. To one
of the finest crews I' ve ever commanded, to our faithful ship that brought
us through our adventure, and to the man I once made an honorary crewmember.
Today I made it official. I give you the newest addition—and the last—to
the Starship Voyager' s crew compliment. Mr. Reginald Barclay."
Reg took a step backwards, he
was so overwhelmed. It had been his fantasy to have a place among the people
he had counted as his friends long before they even knew his name. Deanna
Troi was radiant as she gently took his hand. "Don't worry, Reg. This is
not a holodeck fantasy. This is real life and you've earned it."
The Doctor stepped forward.
"I'd like to be the first to congratulate you and to welcome you to our
crew, Reg." Joe's face was beaming with pleasure. " Even though I know
you are leaving to continue your work with the Engineering Department at
Starfleet Headquarters, we wanted you to know how much the whole crew appreciated
your efforts on our behalf. I couldn' t have a better friend than you,
Reg. Thank you."
Reg could only smile, his eyes
full of tears, as the room raised their glasses in his honor.
