Star Trek - Star Trek Log 06 - Alan Dean Foster - 1976 by Unbekannt

Author:Unbekannt
Language: deu
Format: epub
Published: 2010-12-27T19:58:16.320000+00:00

indicator lights and the compliant hums and beeps of responsive equipment

followed. The reply was presented both in printed form on Spock’s screens, and

aurally over the Bridge speakers.

“That is for me to know and for you to find out,” it announced.

Spock’s eyebrows looked as if they had crawled clear up his forehead, through

his hair and down his rear collar. Infantile riddle-replies he’d come to expect

occasionally from humans. But that something as precise and coldly logical as

the ship’s computer might resort to such barbaric foolishness seemed to all but

herald the end of reason.

Kirk’s reaction was nearly as incredulous.

“Did I hear that right, Mr. Spock?” he

mumbled in astonishment

“I am afraid,” Spock said

slowly, “that you did, Captain. The malfunction is clearly more severe than I

believed possible.” He returned his attention to his keyboard. “Question,” he

inquired carefully. “Are you deliberately holding Dr. McCoy, and Lieutenants

Uhura and Sulu captive in the main recreation room?”

Another prompt response, this time with a subtle alteration that hinted,

perhaps; at something less than complete control over its disturbed circuitry.

Certainly, Kirk mused, it wouldn’t want to sound like a petulant child.

“I’ll never tell,” it whined. “Never ever never. Can’t make me, either. Can’t,

can’t, can’t! And I won’t.”

Hands clenched tightly, Kirk rose and walked over to stand by Spock. “Let me

try,” he whispered, then directed his voice to the input pickup.

“This is Captain James T. Kirk speaking,” he an- nounced with as much steel in

his voice he could muster. “You are programmed to obey any direct order I may

give.”

i 100 STAR TREK LOG SIX

‘That is correct,” the voice

replied evenly.

Some of Kirk’s fury abated at that

conciliatory response. Maybe what the computer needed to break it free of this

inexplicable insanity was just a little drillsergeant firmness. Slowly, he

continued.

“Very well ... I order you to release officers McCoy, Sulu and Uhura from the

recreation chamber immediately.”

A series of flashes and winks from the console, followed by a gentle query, “Say

‘please?”’ ,? “Well I’ll be!” Kirk gulped, by now beyond amazement. Spock leaned

back to murmur. “One should not debate command priority with a machine, Captain.

Under the circumstances, I would suggest compliance coupled with a temporary

swallowing of pride.”

Kirk started to object, then nodded slowly. Keeping his voice level with an

effort, he murmured, “Please?”

A quiet pause, and this time the indicator lights seemed to flash in more

natural sequence. He was about to exchange a glance of triumph with Spock when

the voice jumped in with gleeful clarity, “Say “pretty please” . .

.”

Kirk snapped off the audio control before any further taunts could be offered.

Arex appeared about to say something, thought better of it as Kirk switched the

main viewscreen into the intercom system. A terse call and the result was an

image of a concerned engineer Scott to go along with his voice. “Mr. Scott, I’ve

had it up to here.”

“Aye, Captain,” Scott concurred, ignoring Kirk’s angry tone. He could guess its

source. Elaboration was sure to follow.

He was right. “We’ve got some serious trouble with the main computer, Scotty.

It’s not just custard pies and slippery decks, now. We’re pretty sure it’s

kidnapped Dr. McCoy, Sulu, and Uhura.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.