From: Masako GotoDate: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 21:13:52 -0500 (EST) Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Murray's Idea of Fun?
SD 90329.0052 (GMT) ----------------- Murray's Quarters ----------------- MD 3.2000 Anne sat in her room, taking in the mess. She was usually quite neat, but the last two days had been long ones. She decided that it was time to clean up the place; it was so messy that she could hardly think straight. "Computer," she said thoughtfully, "read _Challenges in Command_ by Captain Denise Landsbury, volume level 2A. Skip all footnotes." As the computer began to read the standard textbook on command that she had studied in one of her Academy classes, Anne tried to think of the best place to begin. "The first task of a Commanding Officer," said the computer, "is to determine what the problem is." Okay. The problem was this Mess. PADDS lay strewn where she had thrown them, data chips cascaded over furniture and nestled in corners as though they were Easter eggs, and the small upright piano in the corner looked as though it could use less company. "After assessing the situation, the Commanding Officer is free to determine the available courses of action." Courses of action included picking up all the junk. "The officer must then determine the consequences of each action, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the available alternatives." Well... if she piled all the PADDs and put them on her desk, she wouldn't be able to see the computer monitor. On the other hand, she couldn't put them on the piano because she was intending to put something else on it. She could put them *in* her desk, but she needed space for her data chips... "This task is often made easier by having the Executive Officer offer suggestions. Other members of the senior staff may also contribute ideas." Not Applicable. Anne decided to move the PADDs onto her bed in the other room; then she wouldn't have to look at them for a while. "After all options have been discussed and considered, the Commanding Officer must execute the decided course of action." Anne put her PADDs in the bedroom and came back just in time to hear the computer say, "the Commanding Officer must also be aware of the other members of the crew." Anne nodded to herself, mentally reviewing every one of her science department staff and students. "Any friction between the officer and one of the subordinates must be resolved through..." Anne decided to take care of the data chips later, when she felt more like egg -- no, chip -- hunting. "Terminate program," said Anne. "Read 'Journal of Psychology and Psychometrics' Vulume 2, No. 15, articles only." "'Study of Psychometric Scales in Relation to Cybernetic Sentience and Cyborg Personalities'" "Skip." "'Psychometry: Science or Myth?'" Counselor Tats-Marush would just love that, thought Anne. She was rather relieved that she wouldn't be seeing her all that much... the Counselor wouldn't be likely to be on the bridge during her shifts, and she didn't seem like the chasing down type. "Skip," said Anne. My, this journal was *boring*! "'Dennis & Schuster Battery III: The Personality Type Series 1A. Discussion and Interpretation.'" Anne sat up straight. This was the series she had used at the Senior Officers' Dinner two nights earlier. She sat down in her chair, idly tossing various pieces of work into designated drawers and receptacles. She listened to the detailed discussion of Attitude Adjustment Scale, Tone Analysis, Context Comprehension, and Strategic Placement Points and relaxed. This, she was convinced, was what most nights should be... lounging in her quarters with the most current issue of JPP running on the computer. Respectfully submitted, Masako Goto Lt. Anne Murray, Ph.D. CSciO USS CHESAPEAKE NCC-31813Chris, Lynnaea, Melvin, Takako: Now you know what she was using that first night... As has been mentioned before, fear not... I made it all up! James: She used a different scale on Tats-Marush; she figured that the other one was too "easy" (she mentions the Battery off-handedly to her former CSciO, suggesting that he knew about it, too) Grrr... every time I try to organize her room, *some other idea* keeps popping into my head! It's way too much like trying to clean my own room... did anyone say ASR is related in any way to RL? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Thought for the day: What does it mean to lay down your life for your friends? -----------------------------------------------------------------------
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