Stardate 1514.9

Science Officer's Log Entry III: Salt and Logic

I continue to fail to understand human behavior, regardless of the parameters I view it within.  Observing the Captain and the Doctor in particular over the last day, I continue to create hypotheses and then discard them in my search for the true workings of mankind.

The salt creature that made its way on board the Enterprise and entranced the crew was certainly an interesting creature.  Not only was it a fascinating study, but it was also highly dangerous. Of course, I was in no danger, due to my copper-based Vulcan blood, but the rest of the crew was not quite so fortunate.

My observations of the Doctor continue to prove illogical.  When faced with the creature, he was unable to make a definitive move against it.  Now, this hesitation was clearly initially due to the fact that he believed it was a long lost mate, a human woman named Nancy.  Naturally under such circumstances his hesitation was a perfectly natural reaction.  One would not expect him to kill a fellow human being in such a way.  

However, it was quickly proven that Nancy was not in fact Nancy, but a creature that was killing the crew by sucking the salt from their bodies.  Though it was proven quite clearly for the Doctor, he was still unable to make a move against the creature.  He knew perfectly well that it was killing crew members, and yet Doctor McCoy made no move.  The facts were clear.  The only other variable was the fact that the creature was indeed the last of its species.  I do not disagree that the loss of life, especially in such a case, is most unfortunate and quite wasteful; but it came down to a choice.

On one hand, the creature could be allowed to live, and destroy the entire crew of the Enterprise, including her Captain. Hundreds of lives lost.  On the other hand, the creature could be destroyed, and hundreds of lives would be saved.  Yes, a life would still be lost; but lives had already been lost.  The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Despite the facts staring Doctor McCoy in the face, however, he froze in the face of his choice.  Not only was the entire crew in danger, but the Captain was losing his life right before our eyes.  It was only my timely intervention that prevented his death.  But even when I struck the creature repeatedly across the face, a beating that would have killed an ordinary human and which had no affect on the creature, the Doctor still did not see reason.  Just when it seemed that the Captain would be killed, however, the Doctor acted.

I will never understand the human capacity for last minute bravado.  At least, that is what I perceive that must have been. My theorizing has not offered me any further possibility as of now.

I received another one of the Doctor's letters today, and I was interested to find a response to the situation within it. However, and most unfortunately, it gave very little explanation of the Doctor's logic, or lack thereof.  I have posted the letter along with the rest for viewing. 

The Doctor rambles within his letter about "killing Nancy", seeing death, and, having a drink.  This drink of the Doctor's seems to be solidifying into quite a strong pattern.  It may be something that needs to be remedied.

As for the Doctor's assumptions about my responses, I find them strange.  If Doctor McCoy is aware of how illogical his actions and thoughts are, as can be seen by his surprisingly accurate analysis of what my particular response might be, then why does he continue within his current course of action?  I find this occurrence to be entirely contrary; though that is quite within the Doctor's behavior patterns.

The Doctor also seems quite unhappy with the Captain's comment that he should be more like me.  I admit that I would find that odd; however, he does admit the Captain has a point, and so I fail to see how he therefore finds it "tasteless".  Aside from the fact that the Captain's comment has nothing to do with gustation, and humans really should be more precise with their word choice; I believe he is indicating his emotional discomfort at his human shortcomings being pointed out to him by another human.  Perhaps not the most accurate or partial judge for such things, but it was an accurate statement nonetheless.  As he sees the accuracy of the statement, and even admits to it, what form of logic dictates that he should continue to argue the point? None, of course, though there must be something internal causing him to behave and react the way that he does.

The Doctor's final note in his letter has caused me to realize that the Captain is deceiving the Doctor in regards to these letters.  It seems that the Doctor did not give them to him; and I am still uncertain as to what the purpose behind his taking them and giving them to me is.  I must conclude at this point it is for research purposes, and possibly due to human concern for the Doctor's mental health.  I will continue my analysis with this in mind.

Spock out.