A Logical Discussion
Posted on 24 Nov 2025 @ 7:31pm by Lieutenant Commander Riah Amberlyn XMD & Commander Suzanna Batenburg & Lieutenant Commander Adrian Sorvak
1,111 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
The Displaced
Location: Conference room USS Arawyn
Timeline: Just after the briefing
=/\= Senior Officers' Briefing Room =/\=
As the senior officers started to rise and file toward the exit, the XO spoke up.
"Commanders," Batenburg nodded at the Chief Medical and Chief Science officers. "Please remain seated."
They waited for the room to empty and for the door to hiss shut behind the last departing officer.
"Commander Sorvak, how exactly are you proposing to conduct your analysis on the foreign ship's hull?" asked Batenburg.
Sorvak folded his hands. "Both the survivors and their vessel exhibit optical pulse patterns. As Commander Amberlyn has determined, the survivors' pulses reflect emotional states. My intent is to conduct synchronized, non-invasive scans of both the survivors and their ship to determine whether their respective signals correlate."
He continued, "Such correlation may reveal whether a shared physiological or neurological link exists. Additionally, in order to refine the universal translator, I must observe how their emotional emissions manifest in real time. It is probable that these emissions constitute an integral component of their communication structure. This may explain why the universal translator is having difficulty parsing their speech."
"Doctor, what is your stance on all this?" asked Batenburg.
"I agree, Commander. There is definitely a correlation between the pulsation seen in their skin and a significant part of their communication function. Similar, in some ways, to how human's read body language. And I'm interested in the fact that the hull, the skin, of their ship also displays such visual pulses. Are the people affecting the ship's functions? Is the ship reporting to her crew? Is the ship a living being, for that matter? And how is all that related to the emergence of the ship from some kind of sub-space realm of existence? The development of a communication model by the UT is critical before we can really determine an answer to any of those questions," explained Riah. "Cmdr Sorvak seems to believe I have some difference of opinion here. I think great care needs to be taken in examining that ship, bio-hazard precautions and the whole thing. I think he agrees with that. I would prefer, as the Captain seemed to agree in our meeting, that we should not physically approach the ship until we are able to communicate with her crew via the UT. I don't think that will be a long wait, and I believe that is where the bulk of our attention to be placed at this point, that and the full recovery of the crew, which is proceeding very quickly."
Sorvak inclined his head slightly. "Doctor, to clarify my position: I cannot construct a translation algorithm that accounts for the survivors' full communicative modalities without direct observation and controlled, non-intrusive testing. My intent is not to interfere with your patients, nor to place them at risk. It is simply a requirement of the linguistic analysis."
His gaze remained steady. "However, my officers reported that when they attempted to perform preliminary correlation studies, their efforts were curtailed. Without such observations, we cannot determine whether the survivors and their vessel are interconnected, nor can we interpret the meaning of the hull pulses. If there is a procedural objection, I would appreciate explicit clarification so that I may adjust my methodology accordingly."
Suzanna listened as both officers argued their case, and initially it seemed they were talking in parallel until Sorvak added further clarification. "Commander Sorvak, please specify what you call controlled, non-intrusive testing."
"Observation and interaction," Sorvak clarified. "Monitoring their optical emissions during routine activity, and correlating those patterns with simultaneous readings from their vessel. No invasive procedures, no physiological manipulation. Simply the controlled introduction of conversational prompts and environmental cues to observe natural responses."
Riah considered this explanation carefully. "I was hoping that such an examination could be done with their understanding of it by way of verbal communication from the UT. But you indicate that such interaction may be critical to the fine adjustment of the UT. Okay. I'll allow that, but you must enter their space and interact with their permission, so to speak. And there are hours of recordings of their interaction with each other and my staff, I am willing to share. You might also interview my staff as to how they have developed what communication has been established. But no poking and prodding. And my last question is who in your department told you that medical, or I personally, blocked Science's advances to examine the ship and crew?"
"Thank you, Doctor," Sorvak replied. "Your conditions are acceptable. I will ensure my team coordinates with your staff and reviews the existing recordings before initiating any direct interaction. With your approval, we can proceed using methods that respect both medical protocols and scientific necessity."
"As for your question, Lieutenant Remington reported that Medical denied permission for observational testing. Science was therefore prevented from proceeding."
“Mmm.” An impish smile followed. “Did he also tell you that my quote was “they are not butterflies to examine,” that it was part of a rather humorous conversation in which he was trying to get me to go out with him on a date? Do you think some of his report of my stern reply to his suggestion might’ve been related to my refusal to date him — though in the interest of transparency, I did eventually agree to meet him in the mess hall later.”
"No, he did not," Sorvak said. "In the future, Doctor, I will confirm any statements attributed to you directly with you before accepting them as factual."
Suzanna nodded, "have we been able to determine if they are telepathic? Is that something we can measure? I have limited telepathic powers, perhaps if they do have telepathic ability, I may be able to explain what we are doing and why."
"That has not been determined if they are, but that would be a very good idea, Commander," replied Riah enthusiastically.
"I usually have my shielding up, and don't really think about my abilities. I am just reluctant to just do something without them understanding." Suzanna replied. "Any concerns from your side, Commander Sorvak. Assuming it works, as soon as I have been able to explain the situation, it would give your team permission to work with them, with their agreement."
"I have no objections, Commander," Sorvak answered. "However, once we establish communications, it is essential that any telepathic or verbal communication be corroborated through independent analysis before forming conclusions.”
"Understood, let's see if we can find a way to communicate prior to the Universal Translator functioning properly," Suzanna stated.
Cmdr Suzanna Batenburg
Executive Officer
Everything fits, otherwise we'll make it fit!
Lt Cmdr Adrian Sorvak
Chief Science Officer
LtCmdr Riah Amberlyn, XMD
Chief Medical Officer
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