Alarm bells and proximity sensors wailed in the bridge of the ESS Argo. Leena danced between consols flicking switches and humming to herself. André had curled into a ball, hidden his head between his knees and was rocking back and forward in his chair.
“Is it over yet?” He asked. “Are we dead?” Leena frowned at him and continued her fight with the ship’s safety mechanisms. Slowly silencing its complaints. André peeked out from his hiding place, his face an interesting shade of broccoli. “Thank God!” He leapt out of the chair and sped out the door. Leena chuckled at the sound of retching from outside.
“Tiphys.” at her words a large screen on the captain’s consol blinked on. “Shut down all non-essential systems, we’re going to need to save fuel if we’re going to make this trip without any stops.”
“Of course, captain.” A flat robotic voice broadcast over the speakers. It sounded almost sombre in its tone. “Would you consider me non-essential at this time?” Leena laughed.
“Not a chance. If I’m stuck with just commander seasick for company, I’m going to go insane.” She looked over her shoulder at the door. “Besides, I don’t know how capable he is yet. I might need you to babysit.”
“Understood captain. I shall endeavour to provide adequate company.” The doors slid open, and André walked back in. “Welcome back commander Vázquez.” André’s body tensed at Tiphys’ voice. His eyes darted around the bridge, stretched wide and alert. “There’s no need for alarm.” The A.I. continued. “I am merely here to assist.” Leena’s shoulders shook as she watched her crewmate’s frantic panic. His head span around the room as he searched for the source of the voice. It was always fun to see someone meet Tiphys for the first time. A.I. had been heavily restricted since the artist riots of the mid twenty first century, and as far as she knew, the Argo was the only ship in the galaxy that had one as a copilot. She was certainly the only ship in the Starfleet with one. Sensing her amusement, André rounded on his captain.
“What’s going on?” He demanded. His eyebrows wrinkling as Leena chuckled.
“Relax.” She said. “Commander André Vázquez, I’d like you to meet Tiphys.” A rugged face flickered onto the screen. Tiphys sported a thick silver beard, and short curled locks. A small number of wrinkles layered his olive skin,
“A pleasure.” It spoke. Nodding its holographic head towards André as it did. “I look forward to working with you commander!” André’s mouth fell open, and his eyes widened.
“We have an A.I.?” He stammered. “Isn’t that dangerous?” Tiphys gasped. His face flew into an overly exaggerated performance of offence and hurt. Leena bit her lip, trying her best to hold back her laughter as panic unfolded on the commander’s face.
“Wow.” The computer’s face was far more animated than his voice. Huge virtual tears rolled down his cheeks, but its tone was still unsettlingly flat. “That stings commander. Judging me before we’ve even met, hardly proper conduct for a Starfleet officer, is it?” André stepped backwards.
“I’m sorry, I just…” He tripped, landing hard on the metal floor, and Leena could hold herself no more. The captain burst into a fit of guffaws. Doubling over as the hilarity took control of her body. Tiphys looked down at André on the floor and joined with her laughter. André scowled, stood up, and dusted himself off. “Hilarious.” he said, clearly unimpressed.
“Don’t worry commander.” The captain walked over and placed a hand upon his shoulder. “Tiphys is no less trustworthy than you or me. Just remember that he is a person, not a tool. He is the third member of our crew.” She patted him on the arm and walked towards the door, stopping halfway to look back at him. “Oh, and… He outranks you.” She had been looking forward to telling him that. The look of evil joy on her face etched itself into his mind. It was infuriating.