"You're out of line, Ensign."

"That said, I can understand the concern. I imagine it's easy to see yourself in the EMH."

"But the doctor is ultimately just a program. The computer receives inputs, performs calculations based on them, and manipulates the image it projects. It's a very complicated program, and I can see why you'd think it's alive, but turning the doctor off is more akin to closing a book than ... whatever atrocity you're imagining I just committed."

Still frustrated, he considers this for a moment, since Janeway is giving him some leeway despite his rudeness. "Programs have no souls?" he ventures.

(What he really means is "You believe programs have no souls?", but he's cooled down enough not to say it.)

In retrospect, this was basically inevitable, wasn't it. Yet somehow, she's completely unprepared for it.

"Nobody does, Ensign."

Possibly that was not the most diplomatic way to ease him into the 24th century.

This is so blatantly, obviously false that he just stares at her in total confusion for a moment, as if she's just said that the moon is made of green cheese.

The gears in his brain start working, just barely. "You are, er. Not a Christian then? Sir?"

it would explain the lack of decency No, he's known plenty of alleged Christians with the same lack.

"No."

She sighs.

"In the interest of not dragging this out, nor are most humans these days."

"If I may, Captain. While Vulcans do not practice Christianity, most believe that a person's katra, which you might translate as soul, does continue to exist after the death of the body."

He hates this, and yet. He turns to Tuvok.

"And do Vulcans believe that holograms possess this... katra?"

"No, although I know of no species aside from Vulcans who are able to transfer their katra. Katra may be unique to Vulcans. I would not consider it diagnostic of moral weight."

Both of them believe there is no difference between a man -- a human man, evidently Vulcans are different -- and a block of wood?

But they see no problem in casually ... closing like the pages of a book a person who is to all appearances indistinguishable from a man?

Laurence realizes he should have given up on this conversation before he started committing insubordination, and resolves to do so now, considering the state it is in.

"I see. Thank you for the explanation."

Vulcans think they have souls?

Wait, do Vulcans actually have souls?

In any case, this has gotten plenty out of hand.

"Perhaps we should continue this conversation later. Mr. Tuvok, are you able to accompany me to my ready room? I'd like to discuss this incident further with the senior staff."

"Of course, Captain."

She waits for Tuvok to climb out of bed.

"Ensign."

She nods to Laurence as they make their way out.

Laurence checks the time with the computer, then waits another half hour in the silent, empty sick bay, remembering that he didn't actually know what time it was when the doctor told him to wait that long. He wouldn't normally be so scrupulous about following a surgeon's orders, but, well, this one seemed to know more than the ones he has met previously.

After the time has elapsed, he gingerly picks himself up out of bed and, finding himself in (shockingly) normal working order, makes his way to the mess hall.

It's been a long day.

B'elanna has Harry and Tom on the edge of their seats.

"So I'm just about to execute it when I see something out of the corner of my eye, and this Kazon got past Laurence and is coming at me with a sword! And I think 'guess I'm dead' and then Laurence jumps right on top of it! It went right through his chest!"

"Hey there he is!"

For some reason he had expected to be eating alone after his ordeal, but he's glad to see familiar faces.

"Good evening!"

"You really jump on a sword?"

His modesty quickly loses to his desire to talk about fights. "Well, I wouldn't say jumped on, but perhaps in front of--" If no one stops him he's going to describe the fight in great detail and commandeer some nearby silverware or other objects to demonstrate.