Optimum Interface
| Star Traks: The Original Series | |
| Episode name | Optimum Interface |
|---|---|
| Season | |
| Episode number | |
| Writer(s) | Alan Decker |
| Year | 2373 |
| Stardate | Unknown |
| Chronology | |
| Previous in series | Beaming There [TRK] |
| Next in series | Choice Blend [TRK] |
| Previous in timeline | That Sinking Feeling [WAY] |
| Next in timeline | The Road To Nowhere - Pt. 1 [VEX] |
Lieutenant Emily Sullivan's been spending a bit too much time on the computer lately, so much so that the computer thinks Sullivan should become a part of it...permanently. The only person who can rescue her from a future as collection of isolinear chips is her ex-boyfriend, Commander Scott Baird. Can he get over his intense hatred of her long enough to save her life? Will he even bother trying?
Summary
Lieutenant Emily Sullivan has been spending a wee bit too much time logged into the Subspace Dating Service. Okay, way too much time. So much in fact that the USS Secondprize's computer decides to make her a permanent part of the system. While in her quarters, Sullivan is encased in wiring and connected to the ship. Commander Scott Baird and Lieutenant Patricia Hawkins are sent to investigate. Finding Sullivan, they call in Dr. Elizabeth Aldridge, who quickly determines this problem is more in Baird's area. When he tries to disconnect Sullivan, the metal encasing her smacks the tool out of her hand. A voice that is half the computer and half Sullivan states that she doesn't want to leave her new state because she can communicate so much more efficiently now. At first Baird is ready to leave her there and let her die, but he can't do it. Despite the anger between them, he still cares about her, and, with Aldridge's help, he dives in to disconnect her from the computer. Sullivan and the computer fight back viciously, but Baird is able to sever the last connection just as he is choked into unconsciousness. He awakens in Sickbay with Sullivan at his side. The two exchange barbs, but Sullivan thanks him for getting her out of the system. She realizes that she'd rather be among flesh and blood people.
Featuring
- Captain Alexander Rydell
- Commander Scott Baird
- Lieutenant Emily Sullivan
- Commander Travis Dillon
- Lieutenant Commander Jaroch
- Lieutenant Patricia Hawkins
- Lieutenant Monica Vaughn
- Dr. Elizabeth Aldridge
Also Featuring
Author's Comments
Tragically, this is based on a true story. Well, not really, but I did see a lot of people at Old Dominion University get so addicted to being online that they stopped going to classes and, in some cases, lost their scholarships, while I was there.
When I wrote this, I kept seeing the woman from "Superman III" who got absorbed by the computer system and covered in wires and such.
Sullivan's Comments
Ok, let's be honest. This *was* really based on a true story. I did find it easier to sit in my room and type on the computer than deal with reality. However, fortunately, I was not one of the ones that lost my scholarship. The girl, (thinking that she was a woman) that was never going to get married, met the right man and got married. And has never regretted it. But for awhile there, there were times that I would refuse to even leave to eat. Until this story was dropped on my bunk. And reality booted me in the head. :) Even now, I have the original of this story. And use it to remind myself.