Data connected the metal strip to the poly alloy conduction wire, and then, in turn, connected that to the battery which he had salvaged from the torch. Data had already found a speaker-type mechanism, which he then proceeded to connect to the battery. He knew all of the contact information of the USS Enterprise, having served on there so long as a senior officer. Data could not, however, engineer the transmitter so it was capable of subspace communication. Nonetheless, Data programmed in the coordinates with an adapted calculator and spoke into the speaker. "Lieutenant commander Data to Enterprise, do you read me?" He spoke, holding the microphone up to his lips as he did so. He heard no response, so he tried again. "I repeat. Lieutenant commander Data to Enterprise." There was still no reply. Data was unsure if he had calibrated the transmitter correctly, so he rewired it and attempted his transmission once more.
"Sir?" Lieutenant Worf began as he placed his hands firmly on the tactical display console.
In front of him, at a lower level, captain Picard was pondering the events of the day, nothing of relevant importance had happened so far, but still, Picard continued to muse. "Yes, Mr Worf?" He asked, as he broke his daydream.
The Klingon focused his attention back onto the tactical display that was set before him. "There is an incoming transmission." He stated bluntly.
"Do we know who the sender is?" The captain asked, rubbing his chin.
"No." Worf replied, studying the console. "It is not of any registered origin." He paused, before continuing. "However, the signal is not subspace."
"Is it a video transmission?" Picard asked.
"No." Worf shook his head. "It is a simple radio transmission. Should we answer the transmission?" He asked.
Picard thought about what the best course of action was, before looking to his first officer for some advice. "Number One?" He addressed his first officer.
He voiced his opinion. "I think we should answer it." Riker thought logically. "I don't see any point in ignoring it."
"Hmmmm..." Picard mused, considering the many outcomes that could stem from whatever action he took now.
"I mean, if its a radio transmission," Riker added, "the chances are, the rest of their technology won't be nearly as advanced as ours."
"Yes." Picard had decided. "Replay the hail." He ordered, and the Klingon tactical officer obeyed. He instructed the computer to do as it was asked.
"Lieutenant commander Data to Enterprise, do you read me?"
As soon as the computer had replayed the transmission, looks of panic and worry soon began to form over every single face of all the officers on the bridge. It was not yet Data's shift, and so, accordingly, Lore had not yet taken his place at the helm console, so he did not hear the transmission that Data had succeeded in sending to the USS Enterprise.
Back in the compound, Data was still unsure of the fact whether or not the Enterprise had actually even received his transmission. He knew that the fate of every man, every woman and even every child rested in the balance and would continue to do so unless he could successfully warn captain Picard of the danger. So, Data spoke into the microphone once again, holding it closer to his lips this time. "Data here. I repeat, lieutenant commander Data here." After pausing ever so slightly so he could gather his thoughts and think of something to say, he continued. "I am being held captive in this unknown location. However, the location of my whereabouts should not be difficult to determine, as this is an open and easily accessible frequency. It may appear," he continued, "that I am, at present, serving on the bridge. However, that is not me. That is my brother Lore, and if you do not already know, he is dangerous."
It had taken Data's second message slightly longer to reach the Enterprise, but only around a few minutes more, at most. This was because of the fact that the distance of the Enterprise, from Data, was continuously increasing and as the message was not a subspace transmission, its speed was limited to the speed of light.
At first, many of the bridge crew believed that this was one of Data's poor attempts at humour, with Riker being one of the sceptics. But, captain Jean-Luc Picard knew it was something else, and he was right.
In case Data's story was true, captain Picard gave the order for a response to be transmitted, but it was a vain attempt. There was no way of locking into the signal, and so they had no way of letting Data know that his message had been received.