N.O.D.
Neural Operations Device (NOD)
Artificial intelligence embedded into the SS Nirvana
Appearance
NOD has no body but lives in the computer network aboard the SS Nirvana. Its digital avatar is a floating robotic eyeball on the screen.
Personality
NOD speaks in a monotone voice but does seem to have a bit of a dry and sassy sense of humor (think Alan Tudyk's K2SO meets Alan Rickman's Marvin). It often makes commentary that is not necessary when observing organics doing something it perceives as counter-intuitive to their goals. It does not however, criticize your choice in goals. For example, you could ask NOD what is the best way to commit a horrendous crime and it'd give you a step by step guide without flinching but if you try to solve a math problem using a different step method than the chosen curriculum it will remind you that the toaster in the mess hall can do your job better than you. NOD seems more concerned making sure the ship operates efficiently than keeping the crew happy...or alive.
Special Abilities
NOD is literally an artificial intelligence that stores, gathers, manages, and retrieves data. It can also help you formulate strategies and advise you. However, despite it's incredible processing power, it is limited in operating only so many ship functions at once. If the ship is in dire situations, it simply doesn't have time to talk to you.
Background
NOD is honest about its origins. It was an experimental VI designed to integrate with an organic brain through a neural link giving organic beings a superior intellect. The experiment was a failure. Subjects suffered from an array of debilitating mental disorders including mania, dementia, amnesia, etc. Many simply perished from the experiments. Of course, this was all illegal human experimentation that was swept under the rug and officially never happened. Lance stole NOD on a job he worked a few years back. NOD is happy to be of service, especially since he was scheduled for deletion when he was "liberated". NOD seems to have a sense of self preservation implying it's an AI rather than a VI. However, it's perfectly content operating the ship. That's all it really seems to care about.