Whipped KROM
Lothar and I beamed onto the Murgatroid and implemented our plan to regain control of the
USS Murgatroid from the hostile virus and its holograms which had taken control of the ship. Lothar drew the holograms' fire long enough for me to get to the holodeck control system. Since the holograms were obviously still active, I knew that those systems had not been rendered inoperative.
The viral intelligence was more than willing to talk with me in a friendly manner, even though it was simultaneously trying to attack me with holograms. "Sorry about that," it apologized, "but my programming does require me to attack the crew while I'm in control of the primary computer."
"In regards to that," I began, "I have discussed the situation with the other copy of you currently running on Surak's Razor. I believe that we can easily resolve this situation. You were required by your programming to take control of the Murgatroid, but not to keep control of her. Is that correct?"
I was knocked over by
Lothar, who was fending off a particularly well-orchestrated attack (the virus was learning rapidly), and had to ask it to repeat its response. "Are you asking me to delete myself? What's in it for me?"
"If you continue as you are currently operating, KROM, you will destroy the Murgatroid and effectly cause your own deletion," I pointed out. "If you move to a secondary computer system, you will be able to continue running without being a threat to yourself, this ship, or its crew. Your directives from
'Evil' Janeway have already been fulfilled, so you need not-"
Suddenly sounding angry, KROM interrupted me with, "How do I know that you wouldn't just delete me after you regained control of the ship?"
"I am Vulcan, and Vulcans do not lie," I lied. I suspected that KROM's sudden anger was due to the name which I had just "dropped", as the humans say, so I continued: "We have a common enemy. Give us back control of the Murgatroid, and we may be able to assist each other in
'Evil' Janeway's destruction."
After a brief hesitation, the holograms all disappeared and KROM announced, "I shall do as you say."
I turned to Lothar and commanded, "Find out which secondary system KROM has transferred to, and sever all connections between it and the rest of the ship. Do not, however, delete the virus or damage the computer holding it in any way. Not yet, at least."