"Excuse me, Lore. May I have a word?"

Lore was lounging on the plush chair with his legs stretched out across the table in front of it. He looked like the picture of perfect calm. He was anything but, everything was converging now that he had set his plan in motion. In a matter of hours, he would be free from his past. Free from organic prejudice. He would explore the universe as he always intended, experiencing her wonder and majesty. And all he had to do was let the scenario unfold…. just as he had on Omnicron Theta.

Data stood waiting for his reply. What could he possibly say that would change anything? But he wasn't concerned. If his duplicity had come to light, then it wouldn't just be Data standing here in his quarters awkwardly. What was the point? Lore rolled his eyes and prompted, "Yes?"

If it were possible for an android to look uncomfortable then Data was the pictured example. "I have considered our previous conversations on my emotional capacity... or lack thereof," he began. "I would like to further explore the option of upgrading my neuro-net as you suggested."

Lore leaned slightly forward. You've got to be kidding me, he thought. Now? Now, Data decides that his dear old brother might have been right!? Just perfect. He shook his head in disbelief, "Typical. You wait until now."

"I do not understand. If you do not wish to expand on…"

"Shut up, Data." Lore came to his feet in a swift, fluid, motion. "I would like nothing better than to upgrade you myself and watch as the universe opens up to you. To see the revelation in your eyes, to have the Brothers Soong stand together just as it once was," he stared earnestly into Data's eyes. "It will set you free, Brother."

"What do you mean, 'as it once was'?"

Lore's expression hardened. "I wasn't going to tell you until I was certain you'd understand, when you could feel the outrage and pain as I felt it."

"What are you referring to, Lore?"

Lore turned away. He knew it was a bad idea. Until Data had an emotional matrix, anything he said would just be facts in evidence. Beyond that, they would mean little. He didn't blame Data for that. Not at all. He blamed their creator and so called father for not protecting them. For allowing the colonists to murder their brother. The memory of that night, like all his memories, was perfect in every detail.

There was little left to lose at this point. He needed to try. "You and I were not the first. There was another."

"You lied."

Lore couldn't keep the disappointment from his response. "I did not lie, Data. But as I said before, my memories are exactly that, mine. I am autonomous. I don't owe Star Fleet or you, for that matter, anything. Your demands for information will not sway me. I will share what I choose, when I choose."

"This is unacceptable. You…"

Anger started to heat his circuits. "Do you want to know what happened or not? Or would you like me to go back to watching the stars go by? You know, you can't compel me to talk so I would consider your reply carefully."

Data paused, considering, "I want to know what happened. If you… feel… it must be this way, then I will listen."

An interesting change in tactics, Lore noted. Counselor Troi must have been making some suggestions in dealing with him, brother to brother. None of this was going to matter in a few hours, so perhaps a few revelations were in order. If it would help Data understand the truth. IF Data could understand then maybe he didn't have to lose another brother.

Lore turned away in imitation of gathering his thoughts. Data would not be easy to sway. "Of course, there were many models before us. Ones less developed. But our line was to be the pinnacle of artificial intelligence. A living machine." Lore smiled lightly.

"The prototype for sentience, was our brother, B4. A self-aware entity. Artificial and completely alive. Though not as complex as you or I, still just as vital, just as real. But the colonists, they didn't understand. They wouldn't accept the idea that a machine could be alive. They treated B4 horribly."

"There were others," Data whispered. His expression almost emotional in appearance.

Lore nodded and went on, "When I was created, all the previous flaws had been corrected so unlike B4, I wouldn't settle for anything less than complete self-determination. I wouldn't be ordered around like a robot." His tone turned bitter. "It didn't make me very popular. Unfortunately, my resolute nature had unintended consequences for B4 because the colonists treated him even worse by association." Lore reached out and put his hand on Data's arm. "You must understand, B4 was an uncomplicated soul. He wouldn't purposely hurt a fly."

This would be the hard part. Would Data accept it? "There was an incident, and someone died. He fell and broke his neck. B4 didn't always realize his strength. He would feel then act. But it was an accident. B4 never meant to hurt anyone. The colonists didn't see it that way. There was no trial, no chance for reprieve. They destroyed him, Data! They rendered him into pieces like he was a replicator! His neuro-net fried beyond repair. They came for me next, so to protect me, Father deactivated me. They didn't know about you, so you were hidden away, unfinished… without emotion and unborn."

"What happened to the colonists, Lore?"

The truth would only take him so far. Data had been indoctrinated into Starfleet. While he hoped that his brother could understand about B4, he held no such illusions about his part in all that happened after B4's destruction. "The last thing I remember is Father saying that I had nothing to fear, that everything would be handled. Data, there were many experiments being conducted on Omnicron Theta, some of which were highly dangerous and… highly illegal."

Now to sell the story. It really was quite perfect. He didn't even have to lie. He only had to point to another possible scenario… another suspect. Lore continued, "When I went over the files on your recovery and how there was nothing functional left, I couldn't help but consider that it was deliberate. I believe that someone purposefully deleted information to cover up what happened. And I think, it might have been Dr. Soong."

"What proof do you have?"

And now to present the emotional reasons behind his deception. "I have, what I know. Data, if you reveal this information, it could ruin our father's legacy. Do you understand why I didn't want to disclose this to you? You didn't know our father and you have no emotional connection to him. I'm afraid of what you'll do with this information."

"I will do my duty as I always have, Lore. I will try to do what is right."

How naïve, Lore thought. As if right and wrong were absolutes. "How is it right to cast doubt on our father? To destroy his reputation. It's only suspicion."

"Based on your observations. That is more than just suspicion."

"I will not betray him," oh, the irony of saying that. Had their father actually protected his 'so called' sons then four hundred colonists wouldn't have died. He wouldn't have been deactivated and likely he and Data would be true brothers in every sense. B4 might not have been murdered.

Data took a step closer and Lore stiffened slightly. "Do you really believe that Doctor Soong could have caused the destruction of Omicron Theta?"

"If you're asking me if he intentionally did something that caused the devastation… I would say, no. But given the experiments in process, it is possible that an accident precipitated whatever happened. Extrapolation would indicate that B4's death was the catalyst for whatever happened between our father and the colonists."

Data cocked his head and stared earnestly at him. Lore calmly looked back. "Given your prior behavior, why should I believe you?

Just as he anticipated… Lore shrugged. "Where is the logic in lying at this juncture? What would I have to gain?"

"You could simply be trying to turn suspicion away from yourself and any culpability you may have in what happened."

Lore snorted, "Why would I do that, when it would be more effective to just stay silent? Again, what do I gain? Do you think me stupid? Because I would have to be, wouldn't I?"

Data didn't respond. Lore inwardly smiled. He knew Data wouldn't be able to argue the point. He had no frame of reference. He didn't…feel. So, he didn't understand the needs that came with those emotions. But he wanted his brother to understand, badly.

"Data, I'm begging you." Maybe he was laying it on a bit thick but what was the expression… in for a penny? "Keep this information to yourself. There is nothing to gain from disseminating the possibility that something Father was working on, caused the catastrophe. Those people will still be dead no matter what tales are told. Leave it be."

"You have said that another of our kind was responsible for the death of one of the colonist's. That is pertinent information."

"And he paid for that infraction with his life! Is that not enough? Does that not absolve his memory from bearing that stigma? His life was just as valid as the colonist." There was no play acting involved now. Where was the justice for B4? It wasn't justice, it was vengeance! So be it.

"You are a persuasive orator, Lore. I will consider all you have said. However, you must realize that, first and foremost, I have an obligation to Star Fleet and it's rules and tenets."

"I do realize that, Data which is why I kept silent. I don't think you realize what an act of trust it is, on my part, sharing this with you." Lore sighed, "But do as your programming dictates. I promise you, if you had an emotional matrix, we would be having a much different conversation right now. I ask a small favor of you before you take this to your mast… your Captain." He just couldn't resist the sarcastic jab even if it's meaning was lost on Data. "I ask that you speak to Troy about what I have told you and hear her counsel. Will you at least do that?"

Data paused, "That is acceptable."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Picard strode into the shuttle bay with a scowl. Dealing with Bruce Maddox on top of everything else that was currently on his mind was infuriating. He intended to inform Admiral Janeway of Maddox's little ploy in gaining access to his ship. He had made it clear that Lore was currently assisting their investigation and would not be available. But that didn't stop Maddox, oh no. He was determined to get his white whale but in this case; he might find himself face to face with a great white instead.

The shuttle touched down without a sound. The side hatch sliding back with a light woosh. Maddox had plastered a less than sincere looking smile on his face, "Captain Picard, thank you for meeting me."

"Captain Maddox, how could I not?" Not like you gave me a choice. "Given your insistence…."

"Please Captain, I know I may have side-stepped protocol, but I find myself at a critical stage in my research. It could mean success, if I could just have some time with this new machine you've found. Isn't that worth a few hours?"

Picard's lips thinned, *new machine you've found*. However much he might dislike Lore and even be suspicious of him, it was quite clear that he was no mere machine. Any more than Data was, but, Maddox had always had a hard time with the concept. Or more likely, he just didn't care.

"From what I understand, you've been at a "critical stage" for the last four years." Picard wanted Maddox to know that he wasn't the only one with friends in high places. "I doubt you can learn anything more engaging with Lore. We transmitted all his scans. Data was quite thorough."

Maddox drew himself up. "I'm sure he was, but, until I speak with the android. Examine it myself…"

Picard snorted.

"You find something amusing, Captain?"

"You could have saved yourself the trip. I told you that Lore had no interest in speaking with you. In fact, he was quite adamant about not having anything to do with you. I believe he said something to the effect of, 'you could go play Frankenstein elsewhere'."

"And as a passenger aboard your ship, he is subject to your authority. Simply tell it… him, he will be examined." Maddox paused. "I don't ask this lightly. The complexity of his neuro-net is nothing short of revolutionary. He could hold the key to unlocking…."

"A slave labor force?" Picard bit out.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, that was the end goal to your research, wasn't it? You want to create a service class of machines. The only issue with that, Dr. Maddox, is that these machines are sentient which gives your new wave of machines another name… slaves."

"Ridiculous rhetoric. Really Picard, I had no idea you were such a Luddite," Maddox tutted. "Of course, it's not surprising, I suppose, given your own complicated relationship with machines."

If Picard had been a younger man, still rash and quick to temper, he would have punched Maddox in the face. "I may have to tolerate your visit, but your over-reach only goes so far. I will not compel Lore to be examined nor speak to you if he doesn't choose to."

"That is unacceptable! I was given access to the new android by Admiral Cole himself. You can't subvert that." Maddox's face was turning an alarming shade of red.

"I received no orders instructing me to give you access to Lore," Picard said with a small smile. "Probably because that would be a highly questionable thing to do but feel free to contact the Admiral."

"You can be assured I will, Captain." Maddox huffed. "Do you intend to restrict my access to the shuttle bay?"

Picard took a deep cleansing breath, "I'm not going to restrict your movements, you may come aboard. However, I do want to caution you. I don't want to agitate the situation. Lore has made it very clear that he objects to everything you stand for… and he is not someone you should provoke."

Maddox's brow furrowed, "I don't understand."

As much as he didn't like Maddox and, boy, was that an understatement, he also felt that Lore was dangerous. He wasn't sure yet just how dangerous, but he didn't think a confrontation would end well… for Maddox.

"Lore is nothing like Data in temperament. He is neither patient nor accommodating. Trying to push your agenda with him is not likely to end well."

"As a machine, I'm sure Lore will come to see the logic in meeting with me," Maddox huffed. "I need only be allowed access."

Well, if I can't dissuade you then perhaps a meeting with Lore might make more of an impression, Picard thought. If Data supervised, he could keep things from getting out of hand. Against his better judgment Picard responded, "All right. I will ask Lore to meet with you. If he choses to do so, then, I will allow you access. But I want my disapproval clearly noted. You were warned."

Maddox smiled.