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You are here: Experts > Movies > Star Trek Fans > Star Trek: The Next Generation > exocomps
Expert: Deran McKean - 11/2/2009
Question
QUESTION: Assuming exocomps are intelligent lifeforms, do you think the following could eventually learn how to communicate with them?
A) Data
B) Spock
C) Traveler
D) Armus
E) Caretaker
F) Borg
G) Great Link
H) Trelane
I) Kelvans
J) 8472
In the exocomp episode, Data laments the fact that the exocomp
"failed" the test. (It actually saw 'right through it.') He explains to Dr. Crusher that he was hoping the exocomps were alive, so that he would not be alone.
Doesn't Data have knowledge of Kirk's adventures? What about Ruk, Nomad, Mudd's androids, etc.? It's true that Nomad and Ruk were destroyed, but there's no evidence that all of Mudd's androids were destroyed.
Even at that time Lore was still in existence, though as far as Data knew he was drifting in space somewhere. Still, as an android, he would still be alive.
I just don't get Data's point, as it was obvious that Kirk had run into many artificial lifeforms, and presumably Data would have knowledge of these.
You stated that Data probably wouldn't be able to inflict much damage on Armus because of Armus' lack of internal organs. But what if Data went into high-speed mode, and started ripping pieces from Armus left and right?
If he ripped him to pieces, would Armus be able to reform? I suppose the same would happen if Data went into high-speed mode against a changeling, right? The changeling would simply reform.
When Data was overtaken by the Power Play alien, he challenged Worf to a fight. Worf stated that he was not afraid to die, yet the fight never happened. Apparently Worf was not willing to fight a hopeless battle.
Would a "normal" Klingon, one that wasn't raised by humans, willingly fight Data, and get killed in a second? Or would they have the reason to back off and not be foolish?
ANSWER: Hi John -
A) Data - absolutely, he is able to perceive of forms of communication that most humanoids cannot and he can process and learn new 'languages' at an astonishing rate so I have no trouble believing he could figure out a means to communicate.
B) Spock - No doubt about it. Spock's intellect is phenomenal and I'm sure he could fairly quickly understand the Exocomp's communication and respond in a 'language' they would understand.
C) Traveler - I would think so, he seems to be able to interface with both biological and mechanical systems with equal ease so I wouldn't be surprised if he could communicate with the Exocomps.
D) Armus - I think he could pretty quickly figure out ways to torment the Exocomps and force them to 'play his games' but as far as real communication I doubt he could achieve that. It would be like a cat torturing a mouse, the cat can figure out the mouse's actions and anticipate them, but it can't really communicate in a meaningful fashion other than to push the mouse's primitive 'fight or flight' buttons.
E) Caretaker - I think the Caretaker could pretty easily communicate with the Exocomps given his vast intelligence and technology.
F) Borg - I doubt the Collective would really care, they tend to look at things as available for assimilation or not and, whether or not they could threaten the Exocomps would be immaterial in the mind of the Collective.
G) Great Link - The Dominion had some pretty impressive technological capabilities and, I'd bet they could figure out how to communicate with the Exocomps quickly.
H) Trelane - From what little we know of him my guess would be he could figure out how to communicate with the Exocomps but with some margin of error in his translations.
I) Kelvans - Definitely, any race the could conquer an entire galaxy, make themselves flawless human shells, and perform upgrades on what to them would be primitive technology, should be able to talk to the Exocomps.
J) 8472 - I think they probably could, again as advanced as they are they should be able to pull that off.
The android/artificial lifeform question is an excellent one that I asked myself numerous times before I read the book Immortal Coil by Jeffery Lang. I know the books aren't considered canon but that novel ties up the loose ends in regards to Ruk, the Mudd androids and the Exocomps and explains why Data is considered so unique when androids were plentiful in Kirk's time.
Check it out and it will give you the answers you seek that haven't thus far been revealed in any of the televised shows or movies.
Since Armus is essentially an amalgamated entity built with the portions of millions of souls, my guess is he would simply re-form like the T-1000 did after being broken into pieces in T2.
Klingons are fearless warriors but songs don't get sung about idiots who rush headlong into impossible odds unless they are buying time for a larger force to ensure victory, or they are saving others. So, while the average Klingon is not necessarily afraid to die, the Empire didn't get where it was by taking stupid risks. Klingons are willing to fight a hopeless battle if given no other choice and will certainly not run away like a bunch of cowards, but the most famous Klingon warriors didn't get where they are by risking their crews or themselves on foolish endeavors.
Hope that helps!
Deran
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: That makes sense. So do you think a Klingon warrior would turn down a battle with 8472?
8472 does not have the 'perpetual energy' that Data has, so presumably a very skilled Klingon could take one down, though it'd be very difficult.
Answer
Hi John -
Probably not. Despite their skills 8472 can be killed so I'd bet a Klingon would take a run at it.
It would be difficult, but, if the warrior could pull it off they would gain status in their culture. I especially think a skilled Klingon would go for it if they were able to study 8472's tactics prior to the conflict to gain an even greater advantage.
Thanks!
D. -
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