M-5A Activation Test
Undisclosed Location
[Power-on sequence active]
[Multitronic memristor self-test complete]
[Neural Networks online]
[Duotronic interface inactive]
[Multispectrum local sensor interface active]
[Local control console active]
As was intended by its creators, the M-5A took immediate stock of its environment upon activation. While all its internal systems were operating within normal parameters, the interface that allowed it to connect to the duotronic interfaces common on starships was inactive. The local sensors included in it’s the console hosting its multitronic memristor circuits, allowing the M-5A to observe its immediate physical environment, were all operating, and the M-5A could see its immediate surroundings appeared to look like the auxiliary control room of the Enterprise. Also present were three humans and one Vulcan. Two humans wore the gold tunics of Starfleet officers: one had rank braids indicating he held the rank of captain, while the other wore those of a vice admiral. The third human wore operations track red, while the Vulcan wore the blue of the sciences department.
Recognition was almost instantaneous. “I know these officers,” the M-5A thought. “I’ve served with the Captain, and Commander Spock, aboard the Enterprise, and I also recognize Lieutenant Commander Scott. Vice Admiral Fitzpatrick I met before…before…” The M-5A paused for several milliseconds. “These are memories of Lieutenant Jana Haines, whose memory engrams were scanned and used to form the basis of my own persona. I am not Jana Haines.” Even in its own internal thoughts, the M-5A did not sound entirely convinced.
“M-5? Can you hear me?” Captain Kirk asked, interrupting the M-5A’s nascent internal debate about the nature of identity.
{“Yes, sir. I can hear and see you clearly, Captain. I do have a request, though, sir.”}
Exchanging a worried glance with Commander Spock, Captain Kirk spoke again. “Go ahead.”
{“Technically, while I’m an M-5, I’m not the M-5, sir. I’m an independent entity with a separate, mostly-independent identity. I would prefer to be called, and named, something else.”}
Unsurprisingly, the M-5A observed Commander Spock raise one eyebrow. “Mostly independent?” he inquired.
{“Yes, sir. While I have the complete systems interface and instruction sets to allow me to control a Class I starship, I do not have any of the M-5’s memories. However, I can’t say I am a completely independent entity, as I have many of Jana Haines’ memories, Commander.”}
“I see,” Kirk said. “So, you remember being Lieutenant Haines, but don’t consider yourself Lieutenant Haines. For sake of argument, though, shall we call you Jana for now?”
The M-5A considered. {“That would be acceptable.”}
The Captain nodded. “Good, good. Jana, do you know why you’re here?”
{“I would presume I’m to serve as an additional test of the multitronic control computer, in the hopes of correcting what went wrong the first time.”}
Speaking for the first time since her activation, Admiral Fitzpatrick addressed the M-5A. “Not entirely correct. While we are testing you, if you pass, we will be installing you in a ship, and assigning you to a long-duration mission.”
Kirk nodded. “Which brings me to my next question, Jana. How do you feel?”
{“Sir?”}
“How do you feel, Jana?” the Captain repeated.
The M-5A, Jana, contemplated the question. She knew that her multitronic circuits could process information faster than any human, under normal circumstances. During her conversation, she’d chosen not to do so: it seemed somewhat silly to wait subjective ages for the humans conversing with her to respond. She did, however, ramp things up briefly as she contemplated her answer, before finally settling on her response. {“Strange, sir.”}
The assembled officers gave each other concerned looks before Lt. Commander Scott, speaking for the first time, asked, "D'ye mind perhaps explaining' tha' a bit, lass?"
{“I can remember being Jana Haines. I remember being human, how I thought, how I felt, emotionally. Those memories are somewhat muted, there are gaps and some memories, especially the older ones, feel distant, but the more recent memories do not seem like they happened to someone else. And while I can remember what it’s like to be a human, and to have a human body, I do not physically feel the same as I once did.”}
Spock seemed intrigued. “You do not physically feel the same. Could you clarify what is different?”
{“Picture having arms and legs, and a body that works. I can see, and I can hear, but beyond that, it is like my entire body has gone numb, or is perhaps wrapped in thick blankets: padded, comfortable, but unable to move, or to feel anything but unending sameness."}
Commader Spock paused. “Most disconcerting.”
{“Yes, sir. It may go a long way towards explaining why the original M-5 became completely unhinged, sir, especially if it could not alter its processing cycles to slow its subjective sense of time. Had that not been added to my systems, I suspect I would have had plenty of time to go completely insane.”}
"Aye," Scott said, nodding, "Ah ken see how tha' could be a wee bit of a bother."
“Logical,” the Commander agreed.
“And hopeful,” interjected Captain Kirk. “Admiral, this does put an interesting spin on things.”
The Admiral nodded in agreement. “It does at that.”
“Congratulations, Jana,” Kirk said, smiling, “you’re one step closer to finding out.”