10 Minute Tales

Feb 15 (Untimed)

Alyssa was back at Doctor Barb's office. It had been cleared, both of body and evidence, but the air still felt... unnaturally still. She shivered a little and approached the desk. The terminal slid out, sensing her presence, awaiting the login details. "Sentinel, can you help me out here?"

"What is the nature of your inquiry?"

"I'd like to check the doctor's personal log, see if that has any clues."

"Very well. Since this is for official business, I shall permit this." The screen glowed green as it moved to the doctor's desktop, a holiday picture of him and his wife. A pang of sorrow cut through her mind, but she pushed it aside as she opened the doctor's personal log. She started reading through it... notes on appointments, theories about genetic augmentations, plans for his next holiday... She paused for a moment. The log in question was of a problem patient. She frowned as she read it.

     The majority of my patients understand that this level of alteration is permanent. There are some, however, who do not believe that it should remain so, that believe we have a manner of saving the original DNA on a large database. I do not believe that doing so is as wonderful an idea as the patient believes.  It is probable that access to such a large database might be the worst form of identity theft, since it permits an absolutely perfect replica. I am worried about what a skilled computer technician would accomplish, especially in combination with Sentinel's augmentation technology.

She sat up. "Sentinel, when was this written?"

"The log's date states it was one week before his death."

"I think it has some bearing to this case. Can I save it to my datapad?"

"I apologise, but I cannot permit copying of this file. It is, in the end, a personal log."

"What? Sentinel, this could serve as proof of motive! If nothing else, it might help point us in the right direction to find the killer! It's my duty to protect the people of this station, and I need to save this for that duty!" The words echoed in the still air. Sentinel didn't reply for a while.

"... very well." Sentinel finally announced. "I shall begin the upload immediately."

"Thank you." she huffed.

"I apologise for the delay. It is not in my usual practice-"

"I understand, it's alright. I don't like breaking the rules either, but sometimes you have to do what's right, not what the rules say."

"Error. That sentence is inconsistent."

"Oh, um... I don't know how to explain it." she chuckled awkwardly. She hesitated for a moment.

"... is something wrong, Alyssa?"

"No, uh, I'm okay, just... got lost in thought, I guess."

"Very well. Is your business with this computer concluded?"

"For now, yeah. You can lock it, but please don't purge it yet, we might need to come back."

"As you wish." Alyssa nodded to nothing and left, leaving the still air of the room undisturbed once more.