STAR TREK: PHASE ONE

Application Given

Featuring;

the voice of James Earl Jones as The S.P.O.C.K. Unit

The USS Enterprise in space…in route to Mars

The command crew of the USS ENTERPRISE, after total acceleration had been completed, stood back and allowed the second shift to take control of the bridge. This was everyone's first mission so it was a primary goal to make sure that all aspects of the ship were put to test, including the second shift.

Commander Gary Mitchell, the ship's XO, had handpicked the second shift based on reports from the command crew, along with the United Space Agency as well. But since it was the primary responsibility of the XO to build up the second crew, it was really in Gary's lap.

Gary had been monitoring the second crew all through the training process back on Earth. And he also had another secret method for making the choices: A magic-8 Ball. It had always done well for him. (Remember folks, Gary's ESP rating. It is quite possible that the 8 Ball isn't as random as it may seem.)

The second crew would be commanded by Lt. Commander Chakotay. He was of Native-American descent and wore his facial tattoos proudly, and he was the highest ranking bridge officer on duty during the second shift.

The Helmsman and Navigator were both Lieutenant Junior Grade Officers. The Helmsman on second shift was Ensign Gene Coon. He, like James Kirk, was a young hot shot at the academy, though several years younger. But, just like Kirk, he also had a wild streak that would have to be contained.

The Navigator on second shift was a young woman from Brazil. Her name was Ensign Ramie Cortez. Her family had a rich heritage, having several historic explorers from the past in her family heritage.

Various other lower rank crew members would staff the other second shift positions. And as Kirk watched, one by one, as the command crew were relieved by their second shift counterparts, he felt confident that Gary had chosen the right individuals.

As James T. Kirk watched Lt Commander Chakotay receive a briefing from Gary, Kirk decided to activate the Spock unit which was attached to the left side of his command chair. There was a simple activation button. He eyed the device and then pressed the button.

S.P.O.C.K.: (voice of James Earl Jones): Spock, reporting as ordered.

"ummm...Hello," Kirk said, feeling a bit odd as he spoke to the unit. "This is Captain Kirk."

SPOCK: Sir, there is no need to state who you are. My system has been uploaded with the voice imprints of every crew member.

"I see," Kirk said. "I just was wondering earlier if you noticed the passage of time since we departed Earth?"

SPOCK: I have indeed. I should state that I did notice a slight lag time in the implementation of your orders by the crew, so I am recommending you address this issue with Commander Gary Mitchell since it is his duty to insure crew readiness.

"Thank you for the report," Kirk said to Spock, "but as you noted, I already have a first officer to monitor the performance of the crew."

SPOCK: It is only logical that until my humanoid construct is completed that I too make such notations for future reference. I have been programmed to assume the duties of first officer in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Kirk became suspicious. "I didn't know they were giving you a humanoid appearance down the line, and I wish that I had been kept informed," Kirk said.

There was no response from SPOCK.

Seeing that the debriefing was over, James Kirk switched the Spock unit off and joined Gary Mitchell in the Turbo-lift.

"What's wrong?" Mitchell asked Kirk, noticing the uneasy look on Kirk's face.

"Did you know that the Spock unit will eventually be transferred to an android construct?" Kirk asked.

"Do I look like I read the monthly Geek Magazine?" Gary asked.

"Well, you should." Kirk added, "The Spock unit already has a new job in mind." Kirk said to Mitchell.

"Oh, it wants a new job, huh?" Gary Mitchell asked with a grin. "Well if it has any soft porn in its memory banks, then I have a suggestion for its next career move; First officer's yeoman."

"Ironically," Kirk said with a grin, "Spock wants your job."

Mitchell laughed. "That'll be the day," Mitchell said. "No human will ever want to serve a computer."

"They may not have a choice; in the future," Kirk said. "And that scares me."

Richard Daystrom sat in his quarters aboard the USS ENTERPRISE. Through a special relay, he had overheard Kirk's conversation with the Spock Unit.

Daystrom was satisfied with how the Spock unit had carried out the conversation. Daystrom was confident that someday, soon, the Spock unit would be put to the test.

Earth; Australia

John Gill sat in the passenger seat of the helicopter as it slowly descended into the bowels of an island off the coast of Australia. Inside the giant island was a giant lair, which housed his soon to be fully operated starship, Botany Bay.

Gill marveled at the large vessel, which he could see perfectly as the copter slowly descended. Sparks could be seen coming from various parts of the hull where dozens of workers were working on the ship.

The Unites Space Agency had one operational starship, the Enterprise, with eleven more budgeted for construction. John Gill had only had one soon to be operational starship, but one was all he needed. The man who Gill had hired to oversee this part of his plan, the construct of the ship and crew selection, was a former officer of the Space Agency. His name was Colonel Phillip Green. If there was one person in this world who Green hated the most it was no doubt Colonel Christopher Pike, and through him, Pike's handpicked 'hero'; James T. Kirk.

The copter finally landed and Gill was welcomed by Green.

"Good afternoon Mr. Gill," Green said. "I trust your flight down here to the bottom of the world was safe."

Gill smiled. "It was indeed. All seven of my operatives are aboard the Enterprise. Once she returns successfully from the first mission, and we have debriefed them, I am quite sure we will have enough practical data to complete the finishing touches to our own ship; the Botany Bay, and our own ship interface; the D.A.T.A unit."

"And then," Green said with a very sinister smile, "we will show the United Space Agency, and the UN, that they cannot assume that the entire world will follow their decrees like toy soldiers."

"Just be patient," Gill advised. "We will wait for the perfect time, and then we will make our presence known. They say that time is the fire in which we all burn? Well," Gill said, "the new UN charter will someday be yet another teaspoon of ash on pit of history."

Continued…