Scenes start with a completly outside view of the ISS Enterprise and the Renegade Klingon shuttle.
Captain's log, Supplimental. I have sent Chief Engineer La Forge, Lieutenant Commander Data, and First Officer Riker aboad a renegade ship with Klingon inhabitants attempting a corrupt trade. They are to kill all on board and either retreive or destroy any data contained within their computers. As if we would ever deal with Klingon scum...They try to kill us, then try to trade with us. Such two-faced cowardice deserves no mercy from the Terran Empire...Or from me...
Scenes switch to the trio aboard the Klingon vessel.
The thre materialize in front of a group of Klingon representatives.
The femle, is very nervous, but the taller male standing next to her is supicious, but not afraid.
Riker stands in front while Data and Geordi stand side-by-side, Geordi fantasizing about just how painful of a death he'll bestow upon Riker.
Data has his own agenda, of which he isn't even sure he will pursue.
The female walks up to the Empire soldiers and greets them.
"Greetings." She says. "I am La'Kar, the leader of this group of renegades."
"We do not care who you are." Riker says, standing menacingly over her. "Where are the goods?"
"Ah, yes." La'Kar says. "Treska, secure the goods."
A younger male standing parralel to La'Kar leaves the room with two others.
"So, what information were you trying to bargain with?" La Forge asks. "It better be good, if your'e willing to betray your race for it."
"I belong to a secret party of Klingons who sympathize with the Terran Empire." She says. "We have been attempting to improve relations with the Empire from behind the scenes, but we were shot down by one of our own after our communications were being eavedropped on."
"So, the whole 'being standed on a seperate planet' story was a lie to get us to deal with you?" Riker says.
"Well...Yes." She says. "I assure you, this is no trap. We do indeed seek to deal."
"Very well, then." Data says, chiping in to Riker's chagrin. "If what you offer is satisfactory to our needs, you shall receive your escort, as promised."
"V-Very good." La'Kar says. "P-Please meet us in ten minutes on the Bridge. The goods will be there."
She leaves the room, leaving the two Terrans alone with their Android ally.
"Why did you do that?" Riker says. "We are supposed to kill them, not play politics!"
"That is still my original objective." Data says. "However, we can also secure the goods with a 97% success rate rather than if we kill them right away, which may cause them to damage the goods or cause casualties on our side."
"If your'e anything, your'e clever, Android." Riker says. "Ok, come on, men."
Scenes switch to Captain Picard.
"It sure is taking them rather long in that shuttle. It's already been two hours. A simple retrieval mission usually only takes one..." Picard says.
"Maybe something happened, Captain?" Wesley says. "I have not detected any anomalies, however."
"If I seek your'e opinion, Mr. Crusher, I shall ask for it. I'll just have to ask them myself." Picard says.
He presses a button on his badge.
"Number One, come in." Picard says.
Scenes switch to Riker, who is sitting alongside Data and Geordi during the "negotiations."
Riker leaves the room and stands near the entrance door, it shutting behind him.
He then answers the hail.
"Riker here, Captain. Orders?" He says.
"What is taking you all so long?" Picard says.
"We're attempting a stealthy approch through a fake negotiations deal." Riker says. "It's the only way we can secure the cargo without casualties."
"I have the Enterprises's phasers locked onto that shuttlecraft." Picard says. "Unless you three have returned to the Enterprise in one hour with that cargo, I'll fire on that vessel, destroying you three with it! Picard out."
Riker's face turns blue as her turns off his Communicator.
He returns to his seat, Data eying him curiously, but still listening to the talking.
La Forge whispers to Riker's ear.
"What's goin' on?" Geordi whsipers.
"The Captain says that we don't return in an hour with the cargo on hand, he'll destroy this ship with us still in it." Riker says.
"Damn it, Data!" Geordi whispers to the android. "Now look what you've got us into!"
Data ignores Geordi's protests and turns to face La'Kar, putting his hand underneath the table for two seconds before putting it back up.
"I see." Data says. "Although that outpost is the key to the Empire's aquisition of this sector, I still do not believe that you will keep your word. Therefore, I shall load the cargo aboard the Enterprise first. Then, once the cargo is secure, My compatriots will return to the ship, and we will set a course for Klingon Space."
"Oh, thank you!" La'Kar says. "They call the Empire savage, but I knew you would listen. I shall bring the cargo in now."
She leaves, leaving the three alone yet again.
"Data, aren't you forgetting the mission?" Riker says.
"Please stop recounting the Captain's orders to me, First Officer." Data says. "I have them memorized. This is the final stage of my plan."
"It better be." Riker says.
La'Kar returns to the room, a male Klingon carrying a metal crate.
"Everything is in here and accounted for." She says.
"You would not mind if we checked, then?" Data asks.
"By all means." She says, snapping her fingers, the male opening the crate with a remote device.
The crate is stashed with basic supplies and a hefty suim of money hidden at the very bottom of the box.
"Very well." Data says, holding up a small communicator. "I shal return to the Enterprise to confirm with the Captain. You two stay here and make sure the Klingons do not attempt a double-cross."
He pretends to drop the communicator.
"Ah, let me pick that up." Data says, picking the communicator with one hand while putting his other hand where he put it before.
A close-up reveals a plasma charge.
Data then pockets the communicator and picks up the crate, carrying it out of the room.
He walks across the corridor and drops the crate down.
He takes out his Communicator again.
"One to beam up to the Enterprise on my mark." He says into the communicator.
He then takes another remote from his pocket, presses the button on it, and puts it away.
"Now." He says, picking up the crate.
Data and the crate dematerialize as they reappear on board the Enterprise.
Scenes briefly switch to Geordi and Riker, who notice a small beeping sound.
Geordi looks around, and notice the beeping sound.
"It's comin' from the table." He says.
He looks underneath to see the Plasma Charge Data left.
His face turns blue as Riker notices it, too.
"That damn Android..." They both say in unison.
Scenes return to the Enterprise as the shuttlecraft on-screen explodes into plently of debris.
Data enters the Enterprise Bridge as the other crewmembers put two and two together.
Captain Picard looks at Data with a mixture of anger and glee.
"Care to explain yourself, Lieutenant Commander?" Picard asks.
Data looks at the Captain knowingly. How is he going to explain this to Starfleet Command?
"Whilst in the middle of negotiations with the renegade ship, I noticed the leader putting her hands underneath the table." Data says. "Once I confirmed the presence of a plasma charge, First Officer Riker ordered me to return to the Enterprise in orderto secure the supplies while Engineer La Forge attempted to disarm the charge. I immediately shot and killed the leader and her allies, then beamed up to the Enterprise hoping the others would perform the same action. Unfortunately, the two gave their lives in order to safeguard the Terran Empire from an unforseen threat."
One of the crewmembers claps his hands.
Soon the others, even the captain are doing the same.
Data tilts his head back confused.
"That was the best story I have ever heard concocted from an assassination attempt in my life." Picard says. "That was a splendid performance, Mister Data. As of now, I, Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the ISS Enterprise, appoint you as my First Officer."
Data smiles slightly.
"Now, return to Riker's quarters. They are yours, now." Picard says. "Dismissed."
Data performs a Terran salute and leaves the room.
As soon as he returns to "his" quarters, Data lies on the plush bed and looks up at the ceiling.
He takes out a notebook and begins writing.
"Lieutenant...No...First Officer's Log, Supplimental. Now, I am one step closer to my dream. The Captain is my final obstacle. Once he is out of the way, I can take control of the ISS Enterprise and, in turn, the Terran Empire itself. Why, you may ask? What does an android hope to gain from controlling a superpower? It's simple. Terrans are inferior. Their illogical wars and behaviors are not fit for this universe. The age of technology is beginning to rear it's head. And I shall be at the forefront of this new era. Androids and robotics will rule the galaxy. Peace and stability shall be achieved through logic, not war. Inferior beings such as Terrans and Klingons shall be exterminated in order to make way for true peace. Though I cannot feel emotions, My circutry registers a sensation of joy and knowing. I shall rule this entire galaxy..."
Data's face turns into one of maniacal happiness, a smile across his lips.
"...And there shall be no force that will get in my way..."