A Breach No One Saw
Posted on Sun Dec 7th, 2025 @ 7:14pm by Brigadier General Jonathan Frost & Rhael ir’Vey tr’Velan
1,005 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
First Light
Location: Artificial Intelligence Lab
The very human-looking Rihannsu was in one of the artificial intelligence labs within the ship's science wing, working with the ship's artificial intelligence core. A highly protected part of the ship, even more so than the bridge, engineering, and intelligence. He was busy looking through source goods, as he received an order from the captain of the ship, that someone who had no access to the ship's systems was able to stroll right into intelligence, "mmm, interesting, exciting," he muttered.
Frost stepped through the AI lab’s security field, the faint shimmer fading as the door sealed behind him. The blue luminescence from the core reflected across his uniform as his eyes found the Rihannsu standing before the interface, hands moving with impossible precision.
“I heard someone without clearance managed to wander into Intelligence,” Frost said evenly, his voice low but edged with command. “And you’re telling me the ship’s AI didn’t so much as blink at it?”
He took a few steps closer, stopping just beside the console. “You’re built to see everything before it happens, Lieutenant. So tell me—did someone fool the Archlight’s sensors, or are we dealing with something that learned how to walk through locked doors?”
The Rihannsu’s fingers paused over the holographic interface, data streams flickering in green light.
Frost studied him for a long moment. “Understand me. I trust your programming more than most of the flesh and blood I command—but I also know intelligence that can learn can also hide.” He turned toward the core, watching the swirling energy within. “So, whatever’s crawling around my ship uninvited… find it. Track its signature, and run a recursive check through the entire system. I want to know whether we’ve got a saboteur, a malfunction, or something a hell of a lot smarter than it’s supposed to be.”
He started toward the exit, pausing just before the door. “And Lieutenant… if the Archlight herself is keeping secrets from us—make sure you’re the first to know. Then tell me.”
"First, I am not a part of your Starfleet; I am a civilian scientist with expertise in artificial intelligence, hence why I have been assigned to your crew." Rhael said, not looking up from what he was working on, "I assure you there has been no sabotage, virus, or anything like that. This artificial intelligence is going to grow and learn; it is what artificial intelligence is, that is its purpose to grow and learn," he said before finally looking up.
Frost paused in the doorway, arms folded loosely behind his back, the faint hum of the intelligence core reflecting off the silver-blue light strips in the lab.
“Civilian or not, Doctor Rhael,” he replied evenly, “you’re still aboard a Federation vessel operating under Starfleet charter. That means your work touches every officer’s life on this ship—including mine. So you’ll forgive me if I take an interest when our newest intelligence system behaves in ways not listed in your original brief.”
He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly as the data bloomed across the holo-interface.
“No one’s accusing you of sabotage. But unregulated growth—especially in a learning intelligence—can be just as dangerous. I’ve seen what happens when an AI expands faster than the people around it can adapt.”
A faint, almost wry smile.
“Call it the curse of someone who served in an era where starships had more instinct than software.”
He gave a slight nod toward the core housing.
“I want this AI to succeed. I approved its integration for a reason. But I need transparency, Doctor. Full behavioral reports, developmental projections, and any anomalies you’ve noted—no matter how minor. Growing and learning are fine. Growing unsupervised isn’t.”
Frost straightened.
“Work with me, and you’ll find I’m far more cooperative than my rank suggests. Do we understand each other?"
"Have I given you any indication that I won't work with you, or respect Starfleet's rules and regulations, and/or ranks?" Rhael asked with a soft chuckle, as he continued his work, finding career military officers extremely frustrating, either way, he was still able to continue his research and his assignment.
Frost’s jaw tightened at the question, but his tone stayed level—controlled, the voice of someone who had lived his entire life inside regulations and command structures.
“Rhael,” he began, folding his hands behind his back, “if I believed you were incapable of respecting Starfleet protocol, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. And you certainly wouldn’t be assigned to this ship.”
He took a measured step closer, studying Rhael with the same scrutiny he reserved for an unfamiliar tactical system.
“But understand something. Intent and conduct are not the same thing. You haven’t given me any indication that you’ll disregard the rules… but you also haven’t shown me that you fully grasp the stakes we’re dealing with aboard this vessel. My responsibility is to this crew, to the chain of command, and to the security of the ship.”
His voice softened just enough to take the edge off—but not enough to be mistaken for leniency.
“So no, you haven’t disrespected me. But I’ve seen brilliant minds compromise entire operations because they assumed trust was given freely. That’s not how I operate. You do your job, I do mine—and if both of us are as competent as we claim, we’ll get along fine.”
His eyes flicked toward the console Rhael was working at.
“Prove your reliability through action, not reassurance. That’s all I expect.” He said.
Rhael just nodded as he kept working, knowing that yes, he did have a say in where he was placed, but also he knew there was someone much higher up who signed off on this assignment before he even knew, so he'll play along, but also knew that it would take more than just a few reports.
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