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[mouth_breather]

'You've reached the voice mail of Jim Kirk. If this is an emergency, hit the pound key to deliver your message via the speaker. As long as I've got my comm with me, I'll hear it. If this is about a class assignment, press one. If this is regarding the location of any of my crew, press two.

If this is Spock questioning my orders to relax every once in a while, wait for exactly 43 seconds, press your thumb to the screen, and speak the secret passwords: 'It's okay to relax every now and then because I trust my captain, as a friend, to know what's good for me.'

...

Did you do it? Now just press 2, it would have got you the same results.'

BEEP!

Comments

[vulcanyounot]

That is confidential.

[He shouldn't say more, but this is Jim, so...]

It is of utmost importance that it remains a secret for public safety reasons.

[There. That'll satiate him and not leave him with more questions, right?]

[mouth_breather]

Okay. So you can't tell me what the experiment is. Can you tell me what you guys think will happen if the public finds out?

[vulcanyounot]

[Hm. It will take a moment for Kirk to get a response as Spock tries to toe the line.]

The experiment itself is not the concern, but rather the information which we are utilizing as the basis for our experiment. We are uncertain if simply being aware of the information is dangerous as it was discovered accidentally by another individual.

It is also a concern that in order to study this particular phenomenon, it would ordinarily require rather serious physical harm to a person, so it is possible that a less stable minded individual might go to such lengths and drastically harm another individual to obtain results.

[Is it obvious that the experiment has something to do with death yet?]

My experiment will cause no such harm if all goes according to the plan.

[mouth_breather]

Let me guess. You're the subject of the experiment.

[vulcanyounot]

[How'd he know?]

I am. The compounds were designed for my physiology.

[mouth_breather]

[He's able to piece together a few things. But not everything. And he's definitely not surprised to hear that Spock is volunteering himself to be the guinea pig. Jim doesn't like this, but he does trust his friend not to do anything unnecessarily stupid, date auctions notwithstanding.]

And you can honestly say that the results are worth the risk of whatever it is you're doing? Even if it was me in your place? Or a civilian?

[vulcanyounot]

The risks are extremely low. All trials on smaller life forms have proven a success. If another were to take my place the risks would be higher as I did not synthesize the compounds with a human subject in mind.

To answer your question, I believe it is worth investigating. The potential information we are hoping to discover could prove monumental in our understanding of this place, which will ultimately aid us in our voyage home. And should any major harm to occur - which it should not - it would not be lasting as this world has restorative powers.

[Okay so there's the teensiest chance that he might die but give him a day and he'll back to his usual Spock self so it's cool. He's confident that he won't though.]

[mouth_breather]

Not really putting me at ease by dancing around the question, Spock. You know I'm not talking about the specifics of this compound.

I just want to be sure this isn't another volcano incident. We're supposed to have learned from that.

[vulcanyounot]

It is not intended to be one. While I cannot fully count out the possibility as I have never run the experiment on a Vulcan, the risks should be minimal and I am expecting nothing of that sort to occur.

I will, however, be unreachable for some time. If something urgent should arise which requires my attention, you may pass along the message to Weiss Schnee, The Doctor who wears bowties, or Guardian Vakarian as they will all be present and they will alert me as soon as they are able.

[If it's early enough on they can call off the experiment totally need be.]

[mouth_breather]

All right. I'm trusting you to know what you're doing. If those factors get too out of control, shut it down.

I'll see what I can do to get into the GSRF so we can discuss this more openly when you get back.

[vulcanyounot]

The three of them will be there to monitor the situation and will take every precaution to make sure it doesn't come to that.

[Or they'd try to, at least. He won't deny that the risk exists.]

I believe members are only able to join if they plan on performing research with Guardian Vakarian being the exception in this particular instance. Weiss Schnee leads the Genessia Scientific Research Foundation, but as she will be present for the experiment you will likely have to wait until afterwards to discuss it with her. I can speak to her on your behalf should you desire it.

[mouth_breather]

One exception makes a second even more likely. Besides, it's better than sitting around with my nose jammed into a grade book day after day.

Put in a good word for me. Thanks.

[vulcanyounot]

I do not believe I was clear in my last message. Guardian Vakarian is not a member of the Genessia Scientific Research Foundation but is assisting on this specific project for classified reasons.

In any case, I will mention you to her before the start of the experiment.

[mouth_breather]

So he's there as a security measure?

[Just ignoring that part about being classified.]

[vulcanyounot]

[Luckily the answer to that doesn't violate the NDA.]

Not entirely. He will be there to monitor both myself and the actual study itself. He has technology which allows him to detect and scan for a multitude of things.

[mouth_breather]

[Damn. Acting as security was Kirk's best shot at getting involved with no fuss.]

Makes sense.

You take care. Once the NDA is dissolved, I want to hear your report.

[vulcanyounot]

Of course, Captain.