ataraxion | video|

[ he's been deliberating where to begin with these thoughts for some time now, but Spock has never been the type to follow impulse in place of old fashioned consideration. when the feed begins, he's seated as he always is, meticulously composed, with his fingers steepled in his lap. for anyone who's come to know him thus far, it's a sign in and of itself, of how carefully he's treading. ]

Tranquility, this is Spock.

In light of recent events, I find it relevant to suggest that the vessel's security team, while consistently reliable, is only one variant thereof. Recent transmissions from an anonymous source largely referred to as smiley, have illuminated the insufficiency of our attempts to both locate the source and individual responsible. I am aware that we have several individuals aboard who consider technological security and the bypass thereof- a specialty, and I am equally aware that despite these assets, we have gleaned, comparably, very little.

I believe we would benefit significantly from teaching these skills to others and forming a technical security network, for the express purpose of tracking, locating, and attempting to engage this individual.

I can offer no personal guarantees regarding the success or, at this interim, the establishment of such a unit. However, I would not be averse to conversing with interested parties. If you possess technical proficiency of any kind or the inclination to learn, your participation would be welcome.

[ it's here that his mouth tightens marginally at the corner. when Spock speaks again, his focus has changed, and his tone sobers. not that he isn't perpetually dry to begin with. ]

At this time, I believe I should clarify that while these anonymous messages are most engaging, I am not of the opinion that we should offer them exclusive focus. The Tranquility remains in a state of perpetual disrepair and remarkably little is intimately understood about it's origins and technology. While a surveillance team will likely provoke further questions, it does not eliminate those we have failed to answer thus far.

Passenger OPR»002»035, Issac Clarke has requested assistance in the exploration of our engineering systems, but we would also likely benefit from investigation of any and all available historical records on board.

Spock out.

[ Private filter to Ward, Resnik, and Kirk ]
Captain, Commander.
If I may have a word?

[ ooc; this would be a ping for aberdeen, todd, tali, atton, ismene, sulu, buffy, am, chase, caprica &anyone else willing to offer themselves up as a teacher. if it's alright with you kids- i'm handwaving that he's sent you all private requests to teach- either because he knows you, or has seen your capabilities thus far.

innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn the interest of speeding some of the cr building along i threw a sign up over here :3 ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ off screen, Spock's fingers align themselves in his lap.

it is not the first time the idea of an organic ship was addressed, and despite hesitancy to discuss the issue, it is not a theory Spock has dismissed. his tone quiets- thoughtful, considerate. ]

In what way would one confirm that a ship is dead?

[Guide allows himself a small sigh. It would be easier to show than to tell, but the Vulcan is not so easy to link with at this distance.]

Wraith ships are grown, as plants grow. They heal, they feed, and they each have a unique temperament. All of our technology is similarly organic in nature.

This ship, however, was constructed. It serves its purpose, but it is not alive; at least not by any definition of the word that I know. Its personality is imagined, not real. In that sense, it is dead.

[ it is, at it's core, a fascinating idea. a subject he cannot fathom because life itself, and the intrinsic desire to survive is as dangerous as it is admirable. but fascinating nonetheless. there is so much they have discussed, and infinitely more that remains beyond his realm of understanding-

Spock's head lowers, but his gaze doesn't leave the screen. ]

Do you believe our anonymous contact is similarly inorganic?

No. I have given Kirk my reasons in full, but to paraphrase: the cost is too great to build an artificial intelligence for a ship this size, and for so little return. To build one complex enough to make taunts is utterly pointless.

[ a beat, and despite the absence of his image on the feed, Spock's gaze flickers to the screen all the same. ]

What would be sufficient return?

Increased computer efficiency. The ability to re-route power to vital systems if power has been cut. The capacity to make life-saving decisions at speeds we cannot attain because we are limited by our own bodies.

However, none of this requires the intelligence to be much more self-aware than a base animal. Programming an intelligence with man's sentience would burden it with the ability to ask the answerless questions we spend so much time mulling over. Such things prevent the intelligence from acting efficiently, which defeats the purpose of having one in the first place.

[ the faintest crease appears in his brow. ]

And in your experience, organic vessels have not evolved of their own accord to echo such behavior?

Our ships, however organic, do not have the ability to breed. The artificial pathogen that initiates and controls the ship-growing process has been virtually unchanged since our first war with Atlantis. Each lineage and its sub-factions have their own strains, true, but the changes made to the strain mainly concern living space configurations.

As they cannot speciate without our meddling, their evolution, as you might say, has been stalled for over ten thousand years.

[ containment. limitation in order to extend one's usage. his head tilts to one side with the faintest nod. ]

Understood.

You have my gratitude. This discussion has been most enlightening.

video|

voice; wraith encryption

voice; wraith encryption

voice; wraith encryption

voice; wraith encryption

voice; wraith encryption

voice; wraith encryption

voice; wraith encryption

voice; wraith encryption

voice; wraith encryption