MEMORY OMEGA EXTRACT / SECTION 31 REPORT (L. SLOAN)

SD44406.8

ANNOTATED TRANSCRIPT - RECOVERED SD66191, DECLASSIFIED SD73773

Subject LaForge observed entering mess hall. He proceeded directly toward the replicator stations until he noticed Subject Tuvok resetting a 3-D chess set, whereupon he diverted to Tuvok.

Their conversation is as follows.

LAFORGE: Lieutenant Tuvok. You’ve had enough of Captain Thalla’s Andorian cuisine too?

TUVOK: Not at all. It is a simple matter to disregard taste.

LAFORGE: Maybe for a Vulcan. I’m pretty sure trying to go through Kolinahr would kill me.

TUVOK: You are probably correct. I had agreed to meet a former student of mine from the Academy. He’s serving on the Khayyam, currently docked here.

LAFORGE: Who won?

TUVOK: It was a stalemate.

LAFORGE: I guess you taught him well.

TUVOK: As I do all of my students. Do you play?

LAFORGE: Only about as well as I come up with ways of deactivating my best friend…

TUVOK: In fairness, no one has yet come up with a viable method in accordance with the team objective. 

LAFORGE: No one else has been accused of attempting to sabotage the team. Maddox hasn’t even come up with any suggestions; he’s just shooting down every one else’s.

TUVOK: He serves a particular function in that regard.

LAFORGE: You know, looking at the team members, I can see what particular function they were chosen for. Maddox, obviously, is one of the top minds in robotics. Thalla’s an aggressive leader. You’re a tactical expert. What exactly am I bringing to this?

TUVOK: You’ve already stated your role here.

LAFORGE: I don’t understand.

TUVOK: When I first learned of your inclusion on the team, I assumed that it was due to your experience in assisting Data with self-maintenance and repairs. Then it occurred to me that his various servomechanisms, power conduits and hydraulics are serviceable by any competent engineer. Why select one for whom objectivity would be difficult? Then I realized the level of trust that you must have engendered with Lieutenant Commander Data, that he has allowed you access to his inner workings. Your purpose here is not strictly as an engineer. It’s--

LAFORGE: --It’s as Data’s friend. Admiral Raner wants to weaponize my relationship with Data?

TUVOK: I believe once you find your way into that role, your effectiveness to the team will increase.

LAFORGE: I don’t want to find my way into that role.

TUVOK: That is your choice, though it has become clear that should this team fail in its objective, it will cost your friend his career.

LAFORGE: I wish I could talk to him about this.

TUVOK: Understandable, but prohibited.

LAFORGE: Thank you, Tuvok.

TUVOK: Thanks are unnecessary.

At this point, LaForge exited the mess hall, notably without getting anything to eat.