Black Research - The Set-Up, Part 2:
Posted on Sun Aug 17th, 2025 @ 9:29pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Commander Maxun Spello & Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
1,960 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Side Plots
Location: Secured Research Lab, Deck 12
Timeline: MD 03, Peril at the Unification Accords
"Is it sentient?" Remy asked. "Or if you put my memories in there, does it think it's me?" This was more complex than what she'd imagined.
“Those are good questions; and ones I keep in mind as I work. I intend for this to simply be able to give life to the knowledge of the world but theoretically I suppose that yes. If we were to put your memories and knowledge into one then it would very likely assume that it is in fact you. Hence the other reason for my neglect to include a Nervous Response interface. I intend for these to only be used in the moments before death.”
Maxun moved around the lab, his eyes on the artificial brain. "The Borg were created for much similar reasons, Alex," his voice was full of caution as he spoke. "What failsafes do you have in place, should something go wrong?"
Alex stepped over to one of the crates still packed and pulled out what looked like a slightly larger medical kit though it had a large rectangular protrusion which had a port clearly for some sort of conduit. She checked the gauge on the side of that protrusion and then brought it to Maxun and Remy.
Maxun looked over the case with an inquisitive eye. "And what is this?" His question was asked with the sound of a curious mind.
“This is my biggest failsafe. The vials inside it are filled with an enzyme that liquefies anything cybernetic regardless of what it is made out of. Technically; the enzyme is a type of Nano-Technology. And it has its own drawbacks. Hang on and I’ll find something to test it on.”
Remy watched Dr. Blackstone curiously as she turned back to the crates and rummaged through one; after several moments she found an inert Borg arm, complete with shoulder, and set it on an isolated worktable against the wall.
“Computer, initiate a Level 10 forcefield surrounding this arm.”
Once the forcefield blinked into existence she turned back to Maxun and Remy with an inquisitive look.
Maxun stood by, silent, as he watched and waited for the demonstration. The research, the technology that the doctor had brought on board was not quite what the Captain was anticipating, but she tried to maintain an open mind as she thought through possible medical applications outside of feigned immortality.
Alex nodded and produced a vial from the pockets of the lab coat she was wearing; though calling it a simple vial was a bit of a misnomer as it was as thick as three of her fingers side by side and it had heavily reinforced endcaps as well as a small power level gauge built into the bottom that showed a median level charge. She lined the vial up with the port on the medical kit and pressed it into the slot. "The forcefield; and the specialized vial are because this enzyme will chew threw anything artificial that isn't protected by an energy field... it is also highly toxic if breathed in."
The medical kit hissed and a shimmering silver fluid filled it; pressing against the energy field that protected the inside of the glass. Once it was completely full she took it from the port carefully and held it up for just a moment before she picked up a pair of tongs designed to hold it. Once secured in the tongs she pressed it into the forcefield surrounding the borg arm and pressed a switch on the grip of the tongs. She quickly extracted the tongs themselves even as the base of the vial opened and the silver fluid turned into a cloud of the same that fell over top of the arm slowly. Moments later the arms components began to vaporize and after just the span of a minute and a half the cloud tinted to the color of rust before dissipating, leaving nothing but what remained of the organic parts from the arm with not a trace of any cybernetics; or in fact of the vial itself. Alex made no move to approach the forcefield itself however.
"It is my absolute last resort as it destroys everything non-organic... however; this was originally created to combat the Borg. Starfleet never could figure out a good way to deliver it on board Borg vessels without risking the lives of our own people."
"So, back to the cybernetic brain," Remy said after a moment's pause. "You mentioned a preservation of the past. What about medical applications? Brain injury, dementia, could something like this help a damaged organic brain, heal?" She asked.
"Absolutely; the cybernetic brain could either take the burden off the organic organ so that it has time to recover or; in cases such as dementia, neuron loss, or severe brain damage, perhaps even diseases like Irumodric's Syndrome; if the damage is caught quickly the memories and knowledge of the injured patient can be transferred fully to the Cybernetic Brain which can then take on all functions of the organic brain to preserve the life of said patient. Admittedly the window to do the latter operation is not very long but it is my hope that this becomes a treatment option for those sorts of conditions that is a ready standby." Alex wore an excited grin as she answered the question.
Maxun still had a concerned look on his face. "Alex," he began quietly. "While I can appreciate and recognize the noble act you are working to attain, you are walking a very fine line. While it's one thing to use artifical implants to repair damaged organs, or even artifical limbs...." he paused to take a breath, then continued. "However, the brain....that is a very sensitive area of discussion. Even with all of the vast studies and modern medical knowledge, even from my people, who attained such knowledge thousands of years ago....much of how the brain does what it does is a mystery. Yes, we know about what each molecule in it can do...but the very nature of how it does it, that's still not known." Ge looked at the artifical brain and asked, "Can you truly state that, should this technology be allowed to be used wide-spead, there would be zero chance that someone could have their artifical brain hacked and controlled? And how can you be sure that, once the memories are transfered, the personality would be the same? Also, would you build in an expiration program, to allow the patient pass away, if Nature deemed it so?"
“Aye; it is a fine line indeed Commander. One that I at least am wary of even if some of the others I am aware of on the project, few as they are, may not be. I am so far the only one that I know of on the project that has a functional prototype however.” She considered the cybernetic brain for a moment as she pondered Maxun’s other questions, carefully choosing her reply to ensure it was as factual as she could make it.
“It is very widely accepted that an individual personality is formed in large part by the experiences of the person from birth until the end of life; it is reasonably safe to say that if all of those experiences and all of the knowledge can be preserved that the personality of the person would not change even solely on a cybernetic replacement for the brain, in the last resort case that a full replacement would be necessary. My own ethos on the matter is to preserve as much organic matter as possible and use the cybernetic replacement only as a final option to preserve life should it be desired by the potential patient.” She paused, turning back to catch Maxun’s gaze with her own that was filled both with passion and just a touch of fire.
“That being said; you are correct in that the brain is still a mystifying organ and in order to fully transfer the consciousness of a patient to a cybernetic brain may leave the patient having to relearn some portion of things and having to rebuild neural pathways. It will probably never be a perfect science but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be explored in the hopes that we can attain that goal… as to the question about a patient passing away; well…” she paused and picked up the brain again. “…without a connection to the nervous system to provide it the power that it needs to function the brain will not in itself keep a patient alive. It could be reconnected to a power source after death and the brain would still have the knowledge encoded in its own unique neural pathways that formed during the time the patient was alive and any attempt to hack one of these brains would require a direct hardpoint connection to it as it doesn’t connect to any form of network outside the body once activated and the brain itself would act as its own defense against that. Each neural map is unique to the encoded data and the brain functions as closely as we know to how the organic brain does. You would have to crack the individual to be able to hack the replacement organ.”
"You have papers, reports, documented your work so far, I take it?" Remy asked. "I don't know that the two of you will come to a meeting of the minds today, or ever, but maybe we can see what you have and read through the project after some of the initial shock has worn off," the Captain suggested.
Alex nodded and picked up a PaDD off the workstation offering it to her command. “This PaDD is encrypted with top of the line encryption to protect the data. Both of you should have access clearance. All of the files from the beginning of the project are loaded onto it.”
Though he didn't fully agree with the topic, for now Maxun was satisfied that Alex's project didnt seem to pose an immediate threat to the ship or crew. Taking the offered PADD, he replied. "Don't get me wrong, Alex, as one who comes from a people much older than yours, I understand the need and desire to continue advancing all levels of technology, including medical. All I ask is that you take the mistakes of the past and learn from them. The universe doesn't need another Borg-like threat roaming the stars one day."
Alex nodded. “Of course, Commander. Your insight is valuable and appreciated.”
"Thanks for taking the time to show us your work, Doctor." Remy gave Dr. Blackstone an appreciative nod. "We'll get out of your hair for now," she made a subtle gesture to the Commander that she'd walk out with him.
Maxun gave Alex a friendly nod. Just because he had concerns about her specific field of study, he was aware of her service record, and had faith that she would not do anything too drastic. His words earlier, while a valid concern that he held, was more him doing his job as the ship's executive officer. Keeping things running smoothly and safely so the Captain could focus on leading the crew. He then followed Remy out into the corridor, allowing Alex to get to work.
Captain Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea
Commander Maxun Spello
Executive Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea
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