Problems Technical and Ethical

[Sorehl 0]

Camelot Station, Deck 36, Holodeck One

 

Sorehl directed his unrelenting attention to the three-dimensional graphic of a neurocortical simulator, rotating gently above his engineering workbench. He scanned, comparing it with the device now being assembled. The Dominion device under consideration was an intelligence gathering tool used by the Vorta. Capable of conjuring an illusory reality inside the subject’s head and even linking it to others, it had first been used against captive members of the Defiant command staff. The purpose of that experiment: to gauge a possible Federation response to Dominion incursion into the Alpha Quadrant.

 

During the war itself, the device had been used in less gentle settings on Allied prisoners. Including himself. Sorehl had been led through an elaborate illusion crafted by an earlier incarnation of Semil. In turn, he’d witnessed the loss of his starbase, his crew, his homeworld, his wife and his children. Quite effectively, the Vorta had broken him – mentally and emotionally. Had it not been for an unanticipated alien influence and the precaution of a Vulcan mind shield, Sorehl would have most likely lost his sanity, as well as provided useful tactical information to the enemy.

 

K’Vorlag had not fared as well under the device. The governor still refused to discuss the specifics of what he’d endured during his own captivity. It was therefore with an appropriate sense of irony that the Klingon had insisted on using it on their recent Vorta captive.

 

Schematics for the device had not been difficult to secure – in addition to the working models seized at Chin’toka and Canar, the Cardassians had found operating specifications among the data left behind at Quatal Prime. The industrial replicators down in the Engineering Ring had fashioned the necessary components, now being assembled here, on one of the larger holodecks along the outer Central Ring.

 

The challenge that engaged his thoughts, however, was not a technical one, but an ethical one. Sorehl had agreed to prepare the device for the express purpose of extracting information from their Vorta prisoner. His only condition: the interrogation would be conducted under his professional supervision aboard Camelot Station. Ambassador N’Kedre had been quite clear that the Vorta would remain her prisoner and property of the Romulan Star Empire. Nevertheless, his Vulcan dignity insisted he adhere to Federation ideals onboard the station.

 

To say that he had compassion for the Vorta subject would falsely presuppose his acquiescence to a feeling, but it was true that he had a full understanding of the abuses the Dominion device could exert. He had no intention of yielding to such base, emotional pressures.

 

K’Vorlag had played his move carefully. It was not unlike the brinkmanship games he’d played along the Cardassian DMZ so many years ago. Like an initial kotra opening, he was testing the Vulcan's position. By offering Sorehl a chance to try and fail first, the Klingon could later side with the Romulans in insisting a firmer hand. No doubt N’Kedre intended to take the Vorta even if the examination yielded results.

 

But probability was never complete without a thorough grounding in game theory, he recalled. At Sarpedion V, he’d proved a Vulcan was capable of waging war. He’d done so without compromising his principles. Applying his own knowledge of Vorta psychology, he was certain he could demonstrate that defeating the Hundred would not require the Alpha Quadrant to destroy its own values from within.

Edited March 23, 2005 by Sorehl

[Sorehl 0]

For those interested, logs describing previous use of the neurocortical simulator during the Dominion War can be found under the topic Variations on a Theme of Semil, starting with Refrains of Semil: Part IV.

Edited March 19, 2005 by Sorehl

[NDak 0]

No doubt N’Kedre intended to take the Vorta even if the examination yielded results.

Vulcans can be taught!