A strange date...

Posted on Mon Oct 16, 2017 @ 1:32pm by Lieutenant JG Jacob Hartley & Commodore Michael Aravan

Mission: Strange Matter
Location: Data Center
Timeline: MD 30 || 1600 hours

Jacob sighed as he sat alone in the data center, looking at the information on the screen. He had finally finished his report, and with the crisis starting to abate, he felt his stress levels lowering slightly, which he was grateful for. He sighed as he leant back in his chair, thinking of getting something to eat.

The holographic monitors in the Intel Data Center began going dim one after the other in what some called the Brain of the Intelligence department on the Triumphant. Soon, all that remained at full illumination was the screen that showed all the intelligence reports being gathered and correlated by the AI known as Anubis which controlled all the functions for Intel.

Jacob frowned as he saw the screens dimming. "What the bloody hell?" Jacob asked, as he walked over to the screen, looking at the information being shown. "Anubis?" He asked.

Slowly, the data on the main screen coalesced until it began to reform into something else and then the image came into resolution and the Guardian AI known to Jacob as the one who was extremely friendly to him appeared.

"Anubis is busy, Jacob," it said. "I'm not, however."

Jacob looked at the screen, and raised an eyebrow. "What's going on here in the data center? Seems like everything just started going dark except for this screen." He said. "There isn't a problem with the system, is there?"

"Everything is fine," the Guardian told him before she disappeared from the screen. Now the image was of a warmly glowing fireplace and music began to play. A moment later and the Guardian was beside of him.

"You look tired," it told him. "You do too much and never take time for yourself."

Jacob smiled. "Trust me, I feel tired." He admitted. He was glad that the AI wasn't trying to cause trouble, and it actually felt good to be able to speak to someone after staring at the data he had been looking at for so long. "The problem with being in Intel is that it tends to be a busy life. But it's work that has to be done." He said.

"Are you in need of nutritional sup....something to eat?" the AI corrected itself before it changed it's appearance.

Jacob smiled. "Yeah, I could probably eat." He said, finding the music and the light somewhat relaxing, which was something he needed. "Do you eat? I mean, can you eat?" He asked.

It laughed. "I'm an AI, silly," it said as it reached out and pressed a hand against his shoulder in friendly but light shove. "What do you want to eat?"

Jacob chuckled. "Honestly? I wouldn't say no to a cheeseburger. Been a while since I had one. Simple and delicious." He replied. "I know, I should probably eat better food, but I've not had much time to cook lately, or eat anything other than fast food. A slice of pizza here, a curry there."

"Cheeseburger?" the AI asked and sounded offended, but she blinked out and reappeared by the replicator. A second later, a dish appeared with a glass of something green which she brought back to him.

"This is much healthier for you and has same ingredients as the cheeseburger you wished to poison yourself with."

Jacob accepted the meal, and smiled. "Looks absolutely delicious. And yeah, much healthier." He said. He sat down, and took a bite of the meal. "I was right. Perfect." He said. "Thank you, so much."

The Guardian sat down beside of him and smiled as she leaned his way. "You are welcome," It said. "I do much more than just guard the Data Center according to my programming. I even have a name, but no one has ever asked it."

Jacob swallowed his bite, and then felt...shame, rising within him. She was being nothing but kind, but he hadn't even bothered to ask her what her name was. "What is your name?" He asked, returning the smile.

"My creator named me Anzu Yamasaki," the holo Guardian told him with a smile. "The other is called Reika Shimohira. You may call me Anzu if you wish."

"Pleased to meet you, Anzu." He said. He took a sip of his drink. He recognised it, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "I know this drink Anzu, but I can't...what is it?" He asked.

"You are welcome," Anzu said. "It is wheatgrass. It has potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. Wheatgrass is also a source of protein less than one gram per twenty-grams. Adding other foods with complementary amino acid profiles to this food may yield a more complete protein source and improve the quality of some types of restrictive diets."

Anzu stopped and a faint blush colored her cheeks. "Of course, you didn't ask for all of that. I'm used to doing a full analysis of everything. That's part of my programming, too, but you probably knew that part."

"No, it's...it's fine. I actually appreciate it." He said. "And the meal. It's very sweet of you."

"I can also give massages," Anzu said as it got up and moved behind him. It's hands rested on his shoulders and began to explore along for any tension and knots. "It really looks like you need one, too."

Jacob froze for a moment, but he sighed and allowed himself to relax. "No arguments here. It's been...stressful, to say the least." He told her. He smiled. "Don't get me wrong, I love my job, and doing what needs to be done to help save lives, but at the same time, it's a lot more stressful than people realise."

The holographic AI began to work its hands slowly along his shoulders and neck, going no deeper than was required as it worked on the tension spots until she moved on to the next spot. "If you do not take downtime for yourself, you will not be saving any lives, Jacob."

"Yeah, that's what Ensign Walsh said. I mean, he's good as an acting counselor, but it's just...well, there's just a lot to deal with." He said, closing his eyes and smiling as he felt more relaxed. "I've been ordered to deal with a shipping business I own but don't want, yet I can't get rid of it. I mean, I say it's because of my parent's will, but I just...I guess I wanted to keep something of theirs because it was all I know. Does that make sense, Anzu?" He asked.

Anzu listened to him while it continued to work on his shoulders and neck. "I have no input for that," the AI said. "It falls outside of my realm, but if you have been ordered to deal with it, then since it is your responsibility, then you are the only one who can make a decision on it."

Jacob nodded. "Yeah. I should probably do something soon. You're really good at this." He said. "Thank you, Anzu. It isn't often I get a chance to relax a little." He said. "How can I thank you?"

"Perhaps take me out of here once in awhile," Anzu responded after a moment of thought. "I am able to interact in any holographic environment such as the holosuites or holodecks."

Jacob smiled and checked the time. "I'm off duty now technically. I've got a holodeck program you might like, depending on if you're in the mood for relaxation or a little workout." He replied.

The fireplace flickering on the screen returned to normal and Anzu looked at him. "You would do that for me?" it asked.

Jacob nodded. "Of course." He said. He checked the holodeck logs, and nodded. "Holodeck 2 is free, we can go now." He said, standing up and looking at her.

"Are you forgetting something, Jacob?" Anzu asked. "I am restricted to the Intel Data Center, but you can copy my program to take to the holodecks."

"Okay." He said. He worked at the computer. "Ready?" He asked.

"Ready," Anzu replied.

Jacob initiated the command, and copied the program onto an isolinear chip. Taking it, he left Intel and made his way to Holodeck 2. "Computer, run program Hartley Sunset Beach Alpha One." He ordered.

The holodeck grid changed to show a sunset beach, with a gentle breeze flowing across the area, and the waves softly lapping against the sand. He called up a control panel, and accessed the isolinear chip, downloading Anzu into the holodeck.

"What do you think?" He asked.

Anzu looked around, then down at itself and changed into a green, white and gold swimsuit with a hat and a trident. It looked at the trident and laughed. "Even here I am armed, it seems."

Jacob chuckled. "It suits you." He said. "You look great. I hope this is good. I used to come here when I could. Created it when I first joined Intel. My mentor told me I'd need a peaceful space, because there would be many times when I would find the darkness of the universe a little overwhelming." Jacob admitted. "It isn't exactly a friendly place, out there in the cold of space."

"Your mentor spoke wisely, Jacob," Anzu said before the trident disappeared and it looked around. "This place is beautiful. Was it modeled after a real place you have been to?"

"A real place on Earth, I think. When I designed the program, I could recall every detail of this place, but I couldn't ever put a name to it. All I know is that it was important to me as a child." He said, looking at the sun. "When I created it, I knew I didn't need to know the name, just that I had this program to hand whenever I needed it. But you're the first person I've ever brought here."

"I am honored that you would bring me here and consider me a person," Anzu said. "It is a very beautiful place. Have you explored it fully?"

"Never fully. I thought you might like to join me, explore it a little." He said, smiling at her.

"Shall we?" Anzu asked as it adjusted the hat and smiled at him.

Jacob returned the smile and led the way. "I hear in the forest area, there's a beautiful waterfall, you might like."

"You wish to leave the beautiful beach to see a waterfall in the forest?" the AI asked him.

"You wanted to explore it." He said, smiling. "Or we can stay here and explore the beach fully. The sunset doesn't go down unless I ask it to."

"Very well," it said. "Then let us go see this waterfall, Jacob."

Jacob nodded, and led her down a path through the forest. "This entire area...well, as I said, I never fully explored it. But some of the flowers are from Earth, some from Risa, and Bajor...I added a selection, to add to the aroma of the place. It's something I always dreamed of, seeing everyone united. Sort of a symbolic meaning for me." He explained. "You said back in the Data Center you do more than guarding it. What kind of things do you do?"

"I do threat assessment and prevent, prevent corruption of data, ensure the safety of the personnel, prevent unauthorized access to any personnel not in the Intelligence office, and," Anzu giggled as she walked beside of him. "I occasionally go crazy and attempt to give the Assistant Chief of Intelligence a prostate exam."

Jacob chuckled. "Yes, that's not something I'm likely going to forget." Jacob said, smiling as they walked along. "Although, to be fair, I did just treat you as a piece of tech, so you had a right to be upset. I don't think people appreciate how complex and intelligent you are." He admitted. "Must be a little...well, boring, not being able to have a hobby or get out like this."

The Guardian laughed, a sound like musical notes. "Why thank you, Jacob," it said. "I don't have a subroutine for boredom. What is it?"

Jacob smiled again at the sound of her laugh, and looked at her. "It's...well, it's a feeling of...well, emptiness, feeling like you want or need something to do, but not having anything to do, because you have to do the same stuff over and over again. I like to do some writing, or play music to keep from being bored." He said.

It was then that they came into view of where Jacob wanted to take them. The sight before them was a waterfall that showed crystal clear water, pink leaves on the trees, and a gentle breeze that carried the scent of various flowers. "Looks like we're here." Jacob said.

Anzu looked around. "This is beautiful," it said with a smile. "You should write about this and play music to it. I have never seen anything like it before."

"I have considered it, but I've never found the time to do so." Jacob said. "It is beautiful, but not as much as you." He said, looking at the view, and at Anzu.

"Jacob!" Anzu called out and gave his shoulder a shake.

"What?" He said, looking at her, frowning.

The hand on his shoulder shook him again. "Wake up!"

*****

Jacob opened his eyes with a start, looking at the data screen in front of him. He closed his eyes again, and shook his head. "Bloody hell." He said, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

The short Guardian AI stepped back. "This isn't a personal quarters, Lieutenant Hartley," it said.

"No, I..." He said, frowning. "I really need some rest." He said, checking the time. He stood up. "Do you...do you have a name?" He asked, thinking of what he had just dreamed about. 'What the hell was that?' he thought to himself.

"I am designated Guardian AI Two," it told him. "You are off duty, so you may leave when you wish, but when I saw you sleeping, I had to investigate in case you were dead."

"Probably a good idea if I do head off." Jacob said, looking at her. "Thanks." He added, as he walked towards the exit. He looked at her before he left the data center. "Jacob, you really need to get out more." He muttered to himself.

The Guardian watched the human Intel officer leave, then shook its head and vanished again with a baffled look on its face at Hartley's passing comment. Humans.