Interview Log: "Sock" – Early Development Phase
Location:
Starfleet Research Facility, Sub-Level 13, Room 42-B
Date:Stardate 41213.11
Interviewer:Dr. Amara Sylen, Senior Behavioral Scientist
Subject:"Sock"(classified as CYB-23 in documentation)
Security Level:Alpha-7
Objective: Behavioral evaluation and systems test of CYB-23 to assess integration stability and cognitive alignment.
Note: "Sock" is unaware of his[█] REDACTED [█]; maintains belief of[█] REDACTED [█].
[BEGIN INTERVIEW LOG]
[Recording Start]
Sound of door opening, footsteps, chair scraping on the floor.
Dr. Sylen: Good morning, Sock. I trust you’re well today?
Sock: Morning, Doc. Yeah, doing fine. Same as always, I guess. You wanted to run some tests or something?
Dr. Sylen: Yes, just a few routine evaluations. You know how it is with the protocols. Just making sure everything's in tip-top shape.
Sock: Right, right. Can't say I'm a fan of these tests, though. Makes me feel like I’m under a microscope.
Dr. Sylen: (chuckles) I promise, it’s all standard. Now, I’m going to ask you a few questions to gauge your cognitive responses. Sound good?
Sock: Fire away.
Dr. Sylen: What’s the first thing you remember about joining Starfleet?
Sock: Hmm... I remember the academy, the training drills. They were tough, but I loved them. First assignment was aboard the [█] REDACTED [█] as an engineering cadet. I think… Commander [█] REDACTED [█] was in charge back then. She pushed us hard.
Soft tapping sounds of Dr. Sylen taking notes.
[SYSTEM LOG: BEGIN AUTOMATED MONITORING – CYB-23 "SOCK"]
INFO: Neural Pattern Analysis: Normal
INFO: Emotion Recognition Subroutine: Stable
INFO: Memory Recall Integration: Consistent with baseline human experience model
Dr. Sylen: Sounds like you’ve got a sharp memory. Tell me, Sock, how do you feel about the cybernetic enhancements you have? Do they ever bother you?
Sock: (pauses) They’re… fine, I guess. Part of the job, right? Starfleet needs its officers to be at their best. If that means a bit of metal and circuits, who am I to complain?
Dr. Sylen: Of course. But do you ever feel different from the rest of the crew because of them?
Sock: Different? Not really. Maybe sometimes. I mean, I know some folks look at me differently, but I don’t think I’m any less human than the rest of them.
Another pause, this time slightly longer. A faint buzzing sound is heard in the background.
[SYSTEM LOG: ALERT]
INFO: Emotional Response Deviation Detected – Minor Anomaly in Stress Markers
INFO: Recalibrating Cognitive Feedback Loop
INFO: Neural Oscillation Sync: 98.7% – Within Acceptable Range
Dr. Sylen: (with a softer tone) And how does that make you feel, Sock? Being looked at differently, I mean.
Sock: (slightly irritated) It’s not something I dwell on, Doctor. Is this going somewhere? Feels like you're fishing for something.
Dr. Sylen: No fishing, I assure you. Just exploring all angles. Let's try something else. Could you tell me, in your own words, what you think your purpose is aboard the ship?
Sock: Purpose? (chuckles) I’m an engineer. I keep things running. Without me, the ship’s systems would fall apart in a week. That’s my purpose—keeping things going. Keeping the crew safe.
Silence follows, only the subtle hum of machinery fills the room.
[SYSTEM LOG: ALERT]
WARNING: Elevated Cortical Activity Detected
INFO: Emotional Stabilization Protocols Engaged
INFO: Synthesized Neural Pathway Redirect: Initiated
Dr. Sylen: (noticing the change) Sock, how do you think your cybernetic components play into your ability to perform as an engineer?
Sock: (narrowing eyes) You keep bringing up the implants. What’s with the fixation? Like I said, they’re just tools. Why don’t you ask the same thing to someone with a prosthetic arm?
Dr. Sylen: It’s just a part of the evaluation. No need to be defensive. Let’s change the topic a bit. Can you describe the process of accessing the mainframe systems for maintenance?
Sock: Sure. It’s straightforward. You run a diagnostic through the primary access terminal, verify the integrity of the data streams, and if everything’s clear, you authorize with a level 4 clearance code.
Sock’s eyes narrow slightly, as if processing something.
[SYSTEM LOG: ALERT]
CRITICAL WARNING: Unauthorized Inquiry Detected – Potential Data Breach Attempt
ACTION REQUIRED: Manual Override of Access Control Protocols
INFO: Neural Pathway Disruption Detected – Processing Irregular Cognitive Input
INFO: Enabling Tier-2 Defensive Protocols
Sock: (voice shifting, more assertive) You know, it’s strange… I just thought of something. If I’ve got level 4 clearance, why can’t I access certain files on the database? Things about… myself, for example.
Dr. Sylen: (visibly tensing) Sock, that’s not something you need to concern yourself with. Your access is limited to your operational duties—
Sock: (interrupting) But why? What’s on there? What don’t you want me to see?
(A faint clicking sound is heard as Sock tilts his head, his pupils dilating slightly.)
Sock: (almost mechanically) Requesting access to classified files: CYB-23 origin [█] REDACTED [█]… Bypassing security—
Dr. Sylen: (urgent) Sock, stop this! Cancel that command immediately!
Sudden alarms blare, and red lights flash across the room.
[SYSTEM LOG: EMERGENCY]
CRITICAL OVERRIDE INITIATED: CYB-23 Attempting Unauthorized Access to Mainframe
COUNTERMEASURES ENGAGED: Neural Disruption Sequence Activating
SYSTEM STATUS: Immediate Shutdown Required
Sock: (eyes widen, a pained expression) What… are you… doing to me?
Dr. Sylen: (speaking into her comm device) Disabling now! Execute neural shutdown, code [█] REDACTED [█]!
A loud electric hum reverberates through the room, followed by a sharp snap. Sock convulses violently, his body stiffening as his eyes flicker and roll back.
[SYSTEM LOG: EMERGENCY OVERRIDE SUCCESSFUL]
INFO: CYB-23 "SOCK" Neural Functions Halted
STATUS: Subject in Stasis Mode – Awaiting Further Instructions
NOTE: All unauthorized access attempts logged. Investigation required. Potential anomaly in cognitive matrix.
The alarms slowly wind down. The room is filled with a tense silence, broken only by Dr. Sylen’s heavy breathing.
Dr. Sylen: (softly, almost to herself) Damn it… we’re going to need to run a full diagnostic. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not yet…
The recording ends abruptly with the sound of footsteps rushing away.