Space is too large. Thinks Odo bitterly as he stares out the window of Ten Forward at the stars reminiscently. He feels a strong bitterness towards them as they twinkle in his human-morphed eyes. He sorely misses Kira. He aches to know what's happening to her in the prison she's being held in. After the occupation of Cardassia, Kai Winn had become supreme dictator over Bajor. She believes that the Pa Wraiths, not the Prophets, are the true gods. She herself is back under the control of Gul Dukat and has been ever since he transformed into a believer and Bajoran himself. Odo's hatred towards him was held up until he'd learned that Kira had been captured. Bajor had originally refused the offer of the Federation and had not asked of any further assistance. His bitterness had grown since then.

Now that the occupation is back in full swing, Odo can do nothing but stare and nearly weep at the stars. He misses his work back on Deep Space Nine. But ever since Kira's disappearance, life aboard the station had been less of a joy to him. There was always Quark to watch, but even so that had become less interesting. Odo heard from Captain Sisko that he and the rest of the main staff were being reassigned to the Galaxy class starship NCC-1701-D: the Enterprise. He, Captain Sisko, Doctor Bashir, Lieutenant Miles O'Brien, Lieutenant Jadzia Dax, and a Cardassian called Garak have been on the Enterprise for a mere six months. Odo wasn't bitter about leaving DS9, but his presence on a starship meant he'd be farther away from Kira and knowing if she was alive or not.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Captain Sisko, but don't you have a son somewhere? I've been meaning to talk to him about his adventures."

"Nope, you're right. I haven't seen his skinny behind for days. Jake'o has never been on a galaxy class starship before this transfer." Captain Benjamin Sisko replies heartily. Captain Jean-Luc Picard nods.

"It's been six months and he's gotten himself lost again? I would imagine he'd find his way around after being cooped up in Deep Space 9 for so long!" The two captains laugh.

The door buzzes. "Come," shouts Captain Picard, still smiling. Commander William T Riker walks into Picard's ready room with a somewhat perplexed expression on his face. Picard looks up from the novel he was reading on his PADD and notes Riker's awkwardness. Sisko is still smiling as well but notes Riker's discomfort.

"Yes, Number One, what is it?"

"We, um…" Riker starts.

"I'd prefer to not hear any 'ums' today, Commander." Picard says bluntly. Riker straightens up.

"Of course, sir. We've had a message from the far side of the Liaf system."

"The Liaf system? There's no life out there. Who could possibly be contacting the Enterprise?" Picard exclaims. Riker shifts on his feet uneasily then looked up at his commanding officer.

"Lore is hailing us." Riker finally says. Picard's eyes widen. Sisko raises an eyebrow in slight confusion. He then remembers that Lore is a Soong android that had ultimately failed in his initial programming and had become a manically power obsessed menace.

"Lore?!" Picard says hauntingly, choosing the clearest of the many questions in his mind.

"The messages say that he wants to meet Data on Rotiart. Preferably alone." Says Riker.

"This might be Data's decision, but I will not promote the danger of a meeting for a seemingly calm family reunion!"

"Shall I alert Data, sir?" asks Riker.

"No. Have him report to me. Now." Says Picard hastily. Riker nods and walks out. Riker is a tall man with a short boxed beard. He's stoic in appearance, but has a kind heart. He used to be a player of sorts, but life aboard the Enterprise has seemed to humble him for the better. He cares less about himself and more about the well being of the crew.

Data walks in a short time later. He acknowledges Captain Sisko.

"Yes, captain?"

"Mr. Data, it has been brought to my attention that Lore has been contacting us in hopes of gaining your attention."

"Yes, sir, I am aware." Says Data coolly.

"If I am not mistaken, he was confirmed deactivated several years ago. How could he have escaped?" Data opens his mouth to speak but the captain interrupts him. "This is a strong generalization, Mr. Data." Data cocks his head and raises his eyebrows.

"Unknown, sir. I would like to meet Lore on the specified planet. My research on Rotiart confirms no life forms. It includes wind and lightning. Permission to beam down when the time comes?" Data asks. At first glance, he looks like a sickly pale human. With near completely white skin, golden eyes, and pulled back brown hair, it would seem like it. Data is slightly taller than Picard. His muscles and well-built figure are noticeable. He is an android: a robot made to look like a super human. He was programmed to be polite, curious, and to uphold the Prime Directive of Starfleet if he so chose.

"You're not going anywhere without an away team. Assemble one then report." Picard interjects.

"Aye, sir." Data says, turning around and leaving the ready room.

Data's thoughts drift from officer to officer. He first thinks of Commander Riker but under the circumstances, Riker won't dare go. Odo and Worf are other options. Data thinks of one officer in particular.

The bell rings and I tell the ringer to enter. Data walks in and pauses. "Good morning, Tylin." I turn around and smiles at the android.

"Hi, Data." I say. He acknowledges by attempting to smile.

"I am assuming that you are aware of Lore's attempts to hail me?" My smile disappears.

"I was hoping you'd decline his request."

"I have decided to accept the request." Data says. My shoulders fall and he raises an eyebrow in concern.

"Have I said something to disturb you?" I shake my head.

"I thought you might. What are you going to do for protection? He's fooled us one too many times."

"I have intended to bring Odo along for further protection as I am unsure of Lore's intent. I do not wish to worry you." Data says noting my concern.

Oh I'm concerned! I think to myself, slightly aware that I might be showing hurt.

"However," Data starts, "if you would feel better about my position, I have no objection to you joining us."

And this helps me how…? I think again but agree after hesitating. At least I'd be with him when he dies.

We materialize at the mouth of a dark and dank cave near the coordinates of Lore's request. The rocks surrounding and creating the cave are a range of dark brown and reds that seemed to glow after the terrifying display from the lightning strikes. The wind is extremely strong and the differences in air pressure create tornadoes, clearly visible hundreds of kilometers away on the plains, and black mountains against the setting sun. The ominous brown clouds make me back up in worry and I bump into Data. He grabs my arm gently, thinking I'd lost my balance. I take this as comforting support. Odo cautiously scans the area with his tricorder. Worf points around with his phaser.

When the thunder starts rolling, we start into the cave. We barely walk ten meters when we hear a startling and deep chuckle echoing off the walls. I grab and hug Data's arm instinctively. I'm especially close to her commanding officer and I'm concerned for him. It's also part of my job to be as such. Data never questions my motives for clinging to him like this. In fact, he welcomes it. I try not to show so much concern in front of other officers. I've never encountered Lore myself, but Data has told me stories that made me shudder. Data seems to have no forward ill feelings of hatred towards his brother as he had no feelings at all: it wasn't an original part of his programming.

Data continues forward even more cautiously and raises his phaser for my sake. An evil chuckle erupts from the walls of the cave. Odo stops. He scans the barren walls in interest.

"There's a light coming from the end of the hall." Odo mentions. Data proceeds. As Odo had said, there's a single candle at the end of the tunnel. The small object lights up a small diameter of the dusty brown floor.

"Only one way in and out. The ceiling seems to be about thirty meters up." Odo says, bringing out his tricorder. The room is very large and seemingly spherical.

"What's the matter, Changeling?" A snarling voice calls from the darkness up high on the wall. Data stands his ground and points his phaser in the direction of the voice

"Oh, come now, brother. There's no need for violence." says the voice. It bears a strong resemblance to Data's voice.

"Show yourself, Lore," says Odo. A moment of silence. Then, an echoed thud makes the assumption that something had leapt and landed squarely.

A figure emerges into the candlelight. He's wearing a black tunic with a black cape and armored, knee-high, black leather boots. The dark clothing makes the figure's face glow. My eyes widen: Pulled back brown hair, golden eyes, ghostly white face. He was the spitting image of Data. The only difference is a deep slash across his left cheek. He's the evil android whom half the galaxy fears. He's the one that haunts my dreams.

Lore.

"Now here's a sight I thought I'd never see!" Lore gestures to me with a pale white hand. "Data's got himself a girlfriend!" he smiles wryly. I let my arms drop on an impulse and my eyes fall. Data looks back at me in confusion as to my abstinence. Odo looks quizzically at me but says nothing.

"She is not my girlfriend, Lore. She is a friend who supports me, much like the rest of the crew. What is the purpose for having called me here?" Data says. I relax a little after Data assessed the situation assertively instead of awkwardly. Lore rolls his eyes.

"Whatever. It won't la—" Lore stops. He hesitates and his head cocks sharply, almost as if it pained him to stop. "Never mind... The reason will be clear in a moment." Lore kneels down. Worf flinches. Lore looks up, glares, and continues to rummage through a chest he'd opened. I haven't noticed right away that I've gripped Data's upper arm again. When I come to, I notice that his body seems more rigid. I grip more firmly but in more fear.

I'm the ship's android expert. I've studied the workings of androids in Starfleet for a number of years. All of my teachers in Starfleet recommended me to the Enterprise to study the most famous android in the galaxy: Lieutenant Commander Data. Captain Picard and the rest of the crew welcomed me with open arms. When Data and I first met, we were instantly fascinated by each other. I'd only been aboard the Enterprise a year when I became fully aware of Data's sentient personality. I started addressing him as a normal person. We're more casual with each other than we are with the other crew members. Our personalities grew over five more years. Data eventually got to know me so well that he even considered me his best friend.

Lore mutters. He slowly stands up and shows us what looks like a phaser. A Starfleet issue phaser. Worf inhales quickly and raises his own, but Odo grabs the Klingon's arm and hesitates himself. Lore shifts his glare briefly to me then back to Worf. He walks up to Data and hands him the phaser, handle facing Data.

"Open it. Pull apart the outer casings." Lore says, trying to hold back a snarl. Confused, Data cocks his head. He fingers with the sides of the phaser until it slowly opens to reveal basic circuitry and a green microbead inside it.

"What is this?" Data asks, curiosity in his tone.

"Energy Merging Over Through Involuntary and Organized Neurons. I invented it myself." Lore says proudly. I'm puzzled by the wording. Data shows no emotion in his face, again, no pun intended. His eyes flicker to the ground for a few seconds and then back to Lore, semi-glaring.

"Ah, an acronym." He hypothesizes. The interest in his voice grows. Lore takes the phaser from Data calmly, takes a few steps back, and clicks it shut.

"I spent many months working on this device. Let me show you how it works..." He turns around and raises his shoulders. "I figured you'd be interested from the moment I called you. I grant you your number one and most desperate wish…" Lore suddenly whips around, aims at Data, and fires without warning. I gasp dramatically in horror as Data is zapped by a bright green flash. I release him as if I've been burned. The flash fades immediately. No immediate physical effect on his circuitry seems noticeable to us. Data looks over his body and is puzzled. He is appropriately surprised. I take out my tricorder and examine Data. I'm afraid to touch him again and refrain from doing so until he moves in front of me to protect me from Lore possibly shooting again.

"For your own good, my brother. I'm sure you'll thank me later." Lore says. Worf fires, but Lore materializes into nothingness. Odo walks over to the spot where Lore disappeared and examines around the room with his own tricorder.

"I'd heard he was elusive, but no one told me he could disappear and not even leave an ion trail!"

"We never knew that he could disappear as he did in the first place!" says Worf with an angry and disappointed snarl. I start shivering violently. Data takes one last look around the dim gave and taps his communicator.

"Data to Picard."

"Go ahead." The captain's voice is covered by slight static as we're deep inside the cave.

"We are ready to depart."

"Standby." My breathing slows to normal, but I still release a sigh of relief once we are safely beamed onto the ship.