THE EDGE OF NEVER: Preparations for the launch

Arriving on the bridge of the Spectre, Captain Syntron started an impromptu discussion with his fellow crew officers on board. This was different however since they were not on the Phoenix, and this team was now comprised of specialists from other ships within the fleet. He was not dubious of their skills and specializations, merely unfamiliar with them in this capacity.

He first addressed David Rogers, his former chief engineer. Syntron knew of his capabilities first-hand. His familiarity with this vessel would be utilized immediately. 

"Commander Rogers, report to Engineering and diagnose all attributes of this vessel's flight condition and overall steadfastness."

 "Aye Captain, I'm on it."

Then the dark eyes of the Vulcan shifted to the golden eyes of the avian science officer as he continued to address the acting chief engineer. 

"Perhaps Commander, you could work with Lieutenant Livingstone while conducting the electrical and computer-based aspects of your inspection. It will be up to you to ensure and confirm when this vessel is truly ready to launch."

"Captain, I beleive I can apply my sheereess to the needed automation of the ship Commander Rogers will be tasked to do. This should help speed up the process. I could also implement the nanite enhancement program we already have on the Phoenix into the system to make it even more efficient."

"Excellent recommendations Lieutenant. Proceed on these two aspects along with any other prerequisites that Commander Rogers requires."

"Aye, Sir."

  Rogers then awaited the contimuing developments and, after Livingstone put forth his idea's, he nodded conformingly. Once Syntron confirmed the science officer's recommendation David fell into step alongside the tall avian and proceeded toward the nearest turbolift in order to go to main engineering on deck twelve.

Syntron's focus then shifted to the other two commanding officers nearby.

"Commander Redding and Commander Riker...  team-up with our Ops officer Lieutenant Commander Leóne to determine the overall status from each department in terms of materials and readiness. If there is anything that you determine will be needed from the station prior to launch, it will be up to you to convey this to Ops expeditiously. We can always implement en route."

The Captain brought his attention to the Jem'Hadar Security chief.

"Lieutenant Commander Aron'Son, thoroughly sweep this vessel to determine that we have no stowaways or any imposters aboard. We cannot afford to have anyone or anything potentially jeopardize this mission once we are underway."   

Aron'Son acknowledged the order with a nod "It was already in my plans Captain. I will focus on anywhere a saboteur may hide and also run internal scans for possible Undine or other known shapechangers...including Founders. We will also be looking for possible hidden explosive devices."

Syntron then addressed his former CMO.

"Doctor Myth, even though we will be operating this vessel with a skeleton crew, your expertise will be crucial in ensuring that each of these officers health is optimal throughout this mission. We will not have the luxury of replacements should someone become disabled or incapacitated."

The Deltan nodded.

"Well since we are going full automation, I will program the internal ship sensors and combadges for continuous medical monitoring and link that to the Emergency Medical Holographic system for immediate intervention anywhere on the ship at the first sign of health failure. Since we don't have time for the standard medical examination procedure, I will request everyone's latest medical record from your own ships."

And so saying, he nodded again his bald head to the Vulcan and went immediately to the medical Command Chair to start working on his preparations.

Redding waited a moment longer.

"If I may, Captain? I'd like to request an addition to the crew roster, seeing as we are short handed. 'He'd' be part of security and is already cleared for missions of even this level. His name is Philter, a self aware hologram created as a Borg infiltration program, now repurposed to act as Emergency Tactical Hologram, sir."

"Absolutely not!" Riker interjected

"Even if the ship should lose power he can be completely autonomous through his personal systems storage unit, so long as the ships projectors are intact of course."

"Given the formidable nature of this mission Commander, such an addition could be most advantageous. Prepare to enable this Tactical Hologram once I confirm clearance with Rear Admiral Kotari" Syntron noted to the Human.

But then Leône turned so pale it was as if she was about to faint.

"Philter? I beg your pardon, Commander Sir but... you can't be serious!"

They still looked at her uncomprenhending. She swallowed, regained some color, then obvioulsy made some effort to control a definite mixture of fear and anger as she explained.

"The McKenzie just returned from the Paulson nebula, answering a strange distress call from an unregistered Starfleet vessel that had singlehandedly disabled and entire Romulan task force and almost started another intergalactic war. We were most lucky to succeed in destroying it without any loss of life, convince the Romulans that this was all a mistake and doing so that those responsible for this abomination would face justice. And do you know what that ship was? The NX-666 USS Legion... a Starfleet tactical Borg cube!"

She didn't give them time to recover from their shock before she turned an angry stare at Redding.

"And do you know who was captaining this monstrosity? A sentient hologram who went by the name of Philter!"

She caught herself before she would cross the line of insubordination and straightened herself at attention before Captain Riker. She knew how the commanding officer of the McKenzie, her commanding officer, was feeling too; but she was not going to let him compromise himself before other officers when she could take the heat for him. She was very protective of her commanding officer... and, as a liberated Orion slave girl, she was quite used to berating and punishment and thought nothing of it.

Interjecting on Leone's behalf, Riker continued.

"Not just Captaining the ship. Philter deliberately attempted to stop efforts to save lives, attacked the McKenzie, attacked my away team and was only stopped when I used his arrogance and want for blood against him."

But truth had to be told... before they made a terrible mistake... again.

An eyebrow raised once again as the Orion Ops officer passionately raised her objections to include the holographic tactical/security officer to their small roster. But Syntron did not voice any decisions yet. Instead, he looked directly at Riker in anticipation of his perspective on this recommendation and perhaps address the reasons Lieutenant Leóne presented.

Redding actually looked dumb founded.

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. Starfleet commissioned a Borg command cube?" Again he seemed at a lost for words. "Who's brilliant idea was that?"

Leône simply looked at Riker, not sure if she was the one to divulgue that delicate piece of information. This Admiral Redding Starfleet Security had put in charge of this terrible project legion might be a relative of the Commander in front of her bearing the same name.

"I can only guess that that information was kept out of my last reintegration, no longer information that I "Need to know".

Redding said it with a somber tone. It always annoyed him when things like that happened.

"No idea? That's weird because the McKenzie recorded every interaction we had with the cube and Philter and your name was all over it Admiral." Riker said in as direct of a tone as he could muster in his shock at Redding's dismissal.

"Well, I can assure you that I still have the original Philter program. I was awarded custody after he was declared sentient. We have since then reworked his program to allow him more freedom and work flexibility." Redding basically said with a shrug. "He would have no more and no less access to the command controls than any security officer of his given rank,. In fact, due to his dependence to his storage module, he can't even be integrated into the ships computer; it's build off  of an entirely different source code so as not to BE integratable."

Then he looked at the Captain.

"Of course if you think he's a risk because his 'brother' gave him a bad rep on a different ship, I'm sure he'll understand, Sir."

His words were slightly sarcastic and more aimed at the lieutenant.

She lowered her eyes and her green skin took a darker coloring. Of all people, she knew all about prejudice. Still, the disturbing encounter with the USS Legion and it's holographic captain was like a ghost story she had been a part of and she couldn't think about it without a shiver.

"I'm sorry, are we dismissing the Lieutenant's words because of her inferior rank, or because of your views on her inferior race?" Riker said defiantly.

"As for being his brother, as you say. Is this an entirely different sentient program with its own parameters? Are we looking at the Philter on the borg cube the way historians remember the Mark 1 holo doctor on Voyager? Are you saying that without any modifications whatsoever this current Philter is not the murdering, arrogant war criminal like the one I found?"

Aron'Son looked at all the parties involved in the discussion.

"With all due respect Commander, Captain, I do not know anything about this hologram; but I do know I am more than capable of handling the duties of my position and I do not trust computer programs. Starfleet's own history is littered with malfunctioning artificial intelligences taking over vessels. I would consider the addition of such an intelligence a security risk...not a benefit."

"But how many of those artificial intelligence programs were kept around after they committed war crimes, murder and almost started a war with the Romulans?" Riker's civil tone was now gone completely and it was obvious his feelings were 100% against having Philter anywhere near a Starfleet mission ever again.

"I applaud you're due diligence, Aron'Son, but Philter's case is different. He has the same right to a duty assignments as any officer and could not take over the vessel in any way that you you're self could not."Redding said repectfuly. "Is there a risk? Of course there is, everything we do is a risk. Taking on a Jem'Hadar as a Starfleet officer was a risk as you should well understand." With a nod at Aron'Son. "But Phiter requested a posting at my next assignment, something I had planned to discuss with Captain Kheren but never saw an opportunity. And he has the right to that request, so I'm asking."

His tone no longer had a sarcastic quality.

 "And besides,  Admiral Redding requested I look after him after the 'Khan' situation, and I think I owe him that much."

Elisha looked again at Riker when hearing the name of Admiral Redding and confirmation that there was a relation between the Commander and the high ranking officer responsible for the Legion incident. She knew she shouldn't but she couldn't help feeling apprehension.

"I hope the Admiral informed you that you are looking after a program that was designed to run a borg cube created by Starfleet." Riker quipped.

Before anyone could respond Riker continued, his tone now somehow even angrier than it was only moments ago.

"I hope the admiral informed you that you are looking after a program that was designed to see no value in organic life whatsoever. A program that was designed solely for the purpose of killing and controlling weapons of war. A program who exists only to end life, under the heavy handed lie that he is somehow saving it."

Aron'Son emitted what might be considered a grunt further conveying his disapproval.

"I will abide by your decision, Captain...but I do not have to like it." 

The musical voice of Jonathan Livingstone then was heard in the thoughtful silence that followed.

"Captain if I may; since the Starfleet Inquiry about then Lieutenant Commander Data, the rights of artificial lifeforms has been established on the same footing as those of organic sentient beings. Consequently, this Philter sentient hologram has the right to request assignment like any Starfleet officer, since he has been recognized as one, according to the Commander. I would then suggest, Sir, that you treat it as such; meet the potential candidate, as one sponsored by a command grade officer, in this case Commander Redding. You may then evaluate the qualifications of this officer Philter to serve under your command. Commander Riker could of course assist you, as is his duty as Executive officer. Lieutenant Commander Aron'son could also be present to ensure security if you feel the need for it."

Jonathan knew the process well, being himself a X'Ell, the first and only one of his kind outside of his home Dyson shell, let alone in Starfleet. Captain Kheren was the one sponsoring him. If Commander Redding was ready to do the same for this sentient hologram, that meant that, like the flagship captain was doing for him, he was putting his own career and reputation on the line on his confidence in the competence, actions and performance of this Philter, not to mention this critical mission of theirs. Redding would not do this lightly.

Beside, the X'Ell was most fascinated by the prospect of meeting such a being. There were most interesting possibilities to consider, possibly even proving most helpful for this mission.

Standing up Riker turned towards Livingston and tapped his fourth pip. Riker was a commander the last time they worked together, but if he was to pull any form of authority he didn't want anyone to forget his current rank.

"Captain now."

The X'Ell blinked his huge eyes, finally finally succeeding in distancing himself from the agitation around him.

"My apologies, Captain... and congratulations."

Riker continued.

"Yes. I will be part of any call made involving Philter. I am the only person here who has ever encountered Philter in the field, ever seen what he is capable of and ever been told directly the extents of his programs. If your Philter even blinks like the one I saw, he is getting nowhere near a Federation ship again as long as I have something to say about it."

But it was all in the hands of the captain.

Redding nodded "Of course Riker, the Captain may deny any candidate at his discretion." He looked a little uncomfortable.

"To tell the truth, not that long ago I would have been against this. I.. still have some difficulty with the idea of 'artificial officers' as having rights, but I'm trying to adapt."

The Captain was weighing in on all points of view as the discussion unfolded. If he were a Human rather than Vulcan, one might sense that he was somehow pleased with how openly these officers were interacting with a mixture of concerns in regard to the holographic officer. Yet his stoic expression convened nothing . Nevertheless, if they were exhibiting this level of cordiality and prudence on something as speculative as a potential colleague, then even he could ascertain that it was a good sign of how they may interact and respond under real pressure during the mission.  

Syntron addressed them all as Redding concluded.

"Our first priority is to have the ship and all materials ready for launch as expeditiously as possible.  Once we are close to reaching that goal, we will set up a meeting in the conference room with all of us and Philter. We can, as humans say, lay all of our cards on the table and an outcome will be determine afterwards. First however, I must ensure that there are not any objections from Rear Admiral Kotari. He is the one after all that hand-selected this team."

 Inside main engineering David stepped up to the master ship display and began running s systems readyness report. As the data collated and displayed on the display he noted the overall condition of the ship and structures. As he had known, Captain Summers had turned over a mission ready ship, as all systems came back as ready. Stepping up aside the X'ell science officer David began entering command overrides into the main and secondary systems, allowing the avian to input the nanite upgrade's into the ship. Unlike with the original Phoenix installation, this upgrade went relatively faster owing to the familiarity of the installation proceedure and the additional computer interface employed by Livingstone's bioneural link. Lieutenant Decatur would have been fascinated by the X'Ell's deftness around ship electronics.