Data stepped onto the bridge and stared at the viewer. The freighter hovered what seemed like only a few feet from the Enterprise. He felt a surge of raw anger as he stared at it, but drive as well and he made his way to his station relieving the ensign that sat there prior to his arrival. The captain stood from his chair. "Worf, what do your readings say?" Worf looked over his monitor. "The freighter's weapon systems are offline for the moment. The warp systems were recently shut off. It seems as though they have just come out of warp and have been waiting here for fifteen minutes. They must have been waiting for us." "Scanners show two life signs aboard." Data reported, going over his station as fast as he would allow himself. Suddenly, before the Captain could order anything further, Worf spoke again. "We are being hailed." Data froze and stared forward. The whole bridge was silenced as the captain ordered Worf to put the transmission on the view screen. There stood Heva, her eyes were bloodshot and she looked extremely scared. Data looked at her longingly. She didn't seem to see him. Her main focus was the captain.
"Commander, are you alright?" the Captain asked. Heva nodded. "I'm fine, Captain. However I regret that my purpose right now isn't to speak with you about terms concerning my release. I am here to relay a message that you must then repeat to Star Fleet Headquarters. I am to transmit it to you, you must listen to it and send it straight to them is that clear?" "Commander, we must-" "Is that clear, Captain?" Heva's tone became frantic and her face showed tension. The captain reluctantly nodded. "Yes, Heva. I understand. Send us the transmission." Heva looked down and they could see her arms move, pressing the required buttons to send the message. "Transmission received, Captain." Worf confirmed. "Captain, you are not to pursue this vessel any further unless previously instructed not only for the sake of my life but for the life of those aboard the Enterprise." Heva said with difficulty. Her eyes became glassy, despite her attempts to keep herself composed. Her eyes fell on Data. He gazed back at her, feeling his rage grow as well as his fear for her safety. "Heva…" he whispered. Heva shut her eyes tightly and looked quickly back at the captain.
"Leave this sector and transmit the message to Star Fleet within 24 hours or this vessel with distribute the plague on the nearest planet. Once you have transmitted the message, you are to return to these coordinates and confirm delivery. Brookes out." As quickly as she appeared, Heva vanished from the view screen. Data's eyes were fixed on the vessel before them, his hands gripping tightly against his monitor. "Is there no way to beam her out of there?" Data asked, shaking. "The vessel has raised shields. Even so, there was no signal to lock onto. Her badge must have been destroyed." Worf answered. "Worf, play the message Heva sent over." Picard ordered, sitting back in his chair. He stared over at Data, who was lost as he stared longingly out at the freighter. Just then, the message sent by Heva began to play. Every soul on the bridge became motionless, frozen at the sight of he transmission's author. It was Lore. All eyes fell on Data before listening intently to the transmission.
"Greetings. I am Lore. I am not to be confused with my twin brother Data, who is an officer aboard one of your vessels. I am as different from him as night is to day. As you may be aware, a plague has spread throughout the Arimur system, without any evidence of a cure to be found. The plague was created by a group of biologists that I kidnapped some time ago. It's purpose was to gain your attention as well as aide in persuading you to give me what I seek. All you need to do is cooperate and the spread of this plague will cease and the cure will be handed over. If you do not comply, it will only continue to spread over dozens of star systems. If you wish the pandemic to be stopped, all you have to do is hand over a galaxy class starship, a team of your best engineers, and control of the Federation to be given solely to me. Once I am in control, all of my demands must be met or chaos will reign violently throughout the galaxy. I am giving you one week to hand these over to me or I will distribute the plague again, starting with Earth. Time is running out, I suggest you act quickly. You have my demands. I look forward to observing your actions."
Lore's face disappeared leaving the crew of the Enterprise in a state of shock. All of them remained silent, but inside all of them was a roar of defiance and a sudden feeling of unity against what they now faced. "Helm…set a course for coordinates 562.789-089.32. We will be within range of the nearest Federation outpost, we can deliver the message there. Mr. Data, I want to see you in my ready room. You have the bridge Number One." Data stood, trembling to follow the captain off of the bridge. With every step he took, he became more aware of the eyes that were glued to him. The level of gratitude he felt toward the captain for requesting his following grew the closer he got to the ready room. Once inside, the captain turned to face him looking stern. "Commander, I know I normally would never have to ask you but in these circumstances and with your recent behavior I need to know whether or not you are going to be able to perform your assigned duty without letting your emotions interfere. If you are unable, I suggest you-" "Captain," Data snapped, interrupting Picard abruptly and unexpectedly. Jean-Luc stared at Data, his mouth agape with surprise. "With all do respect, despite the fact that the discovery of Lore's involvement in Heva's apprehension has birthed a newer and more intense feeling of anger within me…it has also roused a stronger determination as well. Just because I was unable to handle these new sensations before does not mean that I will not have the ability to act as an officer aboard this ship as I always have in the past with the greatest precision not just for you and the sake of duty but for Heva." In an extremely long, drawn out, breathless stroke Data made himself clearer than he ever had before. Jean-Luc let out the breath he held while listening to Data and looked over his nose at him, smiling.
"Data, I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that I doubted you." he said softly, placing a hand on Data's arm for a moment. "I…I was merely trying to see if you would be okay. I know that you've had difficulties not only now but in the past with your new emotional programming. Humph. That sounds so cold, doesn't it?" Data shook his head. "It is not cold if it is the truth. And I appreciate your concern, Captain. Really, I do." The two men stood looking at one another for a moment before both left the room. "All senior officers, meet in the observation lounge." The captain ordered, Data leading the way.