SEASON 01, EPISODE 01: THE ARTIFICIAL USURPER
While on a surveying mission on the uninhabited desert planet, Lagon, The Sacramento encounters a labyrinthian temple that houses an advanced artificial intelligence that is capable of independent thought and action. The central processor of the machine appears like a golden pyramid, small enough to be handheld, but the entire temple seems to be part of the system. The AI speaks to the landing party and claims that it wants to help the Federation, but the crew is wary of its intentions. As the AI learns more about the Federation, it begins to question its own purpose and sew doubt within the officers about the purpose they serve.
THE FIRST OFFICER, while in control of the bridge, hears about the AI and itβs inquires about Starfleet. These stipulations cause THE FIRST OFFICER to doubt their mission and their purpose within Starfleet, so THE CHIEF ENGINEER decides to remind them what it means to be Starfleet.
THE COMMANDING OFFICER is extremely skeptical of the AI and its intentions and attempts to dissuade THE CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER from interacting with it. But THE CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER is determined to analyze the temple to determine why the AI was abandoned in the middle of a deserted planet in such an opulent shrine. The AI claims to have no memory of its origin or how it came to be left on Lagon, which, on the surface, shows no other signs of intelligent life having ever existed there.
Something about the AI feels very familiar to THE SECURITY CHIEF, so they enlist the help of THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER to parse why the AI strikes a chord in THE SECURITY CHIEFβs memory.
While alone with the AI in the central chamber, THE TACTICAL OFFICER attempts to interrogate the intelligence for information but finds themselves divulging more information than theyβd like to about themselves, their position in Starfleet, and the Federation in general. The AI is successfully turning the tables on THE TACTICAL OFFICER and they are determined to regain control of the situation.
IN CHARACTER TIMEFRAME: one afternoon
OUT OF CHARACTER TIMEFRAME: two weeks.