Chapter Four: Digital Soul

 "Chief?"

The voice took a moment to penetrate the barrier of concentration surrounding Chief Crad's mind as he continued to re-calibrate the gel-packs connecting the new data-interface to the main library computer. The folks at Daystrom seemed certain this prototype would allow Pendragon to process information with an efficiency that would have made its creator, the late Commander Data jealous.

Dalton Crad didn't disagree with the basic assessment, but this odd little block of computerized brain seemed to almost consciously reject continued connection to the ship's computers. Frankly, it was the most wilful piece of tech the Trill had ever encountered.

"Chief!"

Crad suddenly snapped to awareness of the Vulcan science officer standing next to him.

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. I was just trying to... well, convince this thing to play nice."

T'Upok raised an eyebrow. She'd worked with Crad since she first came to The Pendragon under Captain David. She was accustomed to his periods of distraction, though they could be bothersome. Still, she had great respect for his ability to, in his words, coax and tease the ship to do better, from the computers to the M/ARA and all places in between.

It didn't hurt that he was the only crew member who hadn't asked her about her name and her human father's... unique... sense of humor.

"I take it the new interface processor has disconnected again?"

Crad lightly scratched his neck.

"I swear, Commander, it's like this thing actively dislikes the Pendragon. I can't really explain it better."

T'Upok tilted her head slightly, "I trust you will be able to... ease its shyness."

Chief Crad chuckled a little. Ever since leaving the Trill home world, he'd had a moderate amount experience with Vulcans and their stoicism was amusing to him. He understood it to an extent. Dealing with people was a nightmare without end for him. The unpredictability of organic thinking often gave Crad a headache when trying to work with them. No, machines made so much more sense to him. That's why he left the home world in the first place. If he hadn't, he'd have been sentenced to a lifetime of ceaseless voices in his head. 

Crad's parents had been influential among Trill society. Renowned artists and political voices, it was always assumed, when they had children, those children would be truly gifted; "movers and shakers", as some from Earth would say. 

So, Dalton Crad, only child of Tressa and Eldor Crad, was meant for greatness. Private schools, musical tutors, parties... everything one would expect of the golden child of a diamond couple.

And,of course, he would be fast-tracked by the Symbiont Commission. 

Of course, that would never be said out loud. Oh, no. The Commission was very selective with who would be appropriate candidates for joining. The myth that only a small percentage were compatible with the symbionts persisted, though there were rumours...

From a young age, Dalton had been groomed for joining. The child of the Crads would certainly be granted the honour of joining. To question that was laughable.

Dalton, though, found society life terrifying. The constant attention, the chatter, the false amity all wore on him. Every day things became more stifling.

The only haven he found was in tinkering. 

The simple, honest communing with machines brought him joy. Hours spent up to his elbows in an antique engine or building communications equipment were his escape from the constant din of dissembling, artificially cheery voices.

When the Symbiont Commission made their judgment on Crad, no one was surprised. He was a perfect candidate. He'd be joined as soon as a symbiont was ready.

The very idea of having someone else's voice in his head sent him into a dizzying panic. He couldn't live without his escape to machinery. 

So he left.

Some would say he ran away from home. They'd say he was a coward and was hiding from what his parents and his people thought was best for him.

Those people would be absolutely right.

Dalton Crad booked passage on a Tellarite freighter to Earth and enlisted in Starfleet.

In the years since, he rose up to the rank of Chief Petty Officer aboard the Pendragon, serving as the Chief Engineer.

He was proud of his accomplishments. Each repair or improvement on the ship felt like a commendation to him.

Dalton Crad had not spoken to his parents since the day he left.

"D'arko to Crad."

The combadge startled the Chief nearly as much as the smooth, yet authoritative voice on the other end.

"Aye, Captain!"

"Chief, I understand Lieutenant Commander T'Upok is with you."

"I am, Captain," T'Upok answered for herself.

"Excellent. I would like the two of you to report to my quarters at 1800 hours. D'arko out."

The combadge snapped off and the two crew members shared a look for a moment.

Crad then shrugged and returned to his work.