Chapter 25: Trial and Tribulation – Part Three

Data was a bit nervous on his way to her quarters. He considered deactivating his emotion chip, but decided against it since it would likely compel him not to fail his mission. Once he reached her door, he extended his hand, but hesitated a moment before finally ringing the chime. As he suspected, he had to repeat the action once more before she answered.

"Commander Data, there had better be a very good reason for you to wake me in the middle of the night." Captain Louvois yawned.

"I assure you, there is. May I come in?"

The captain gave a half-hearted nod, shuffling into her quarters all the while making sure her robe was properly closed. She ordered a cup of tea from the replicator before taking a seat.

"Okay. What's this all about?" she asked.

"Captain, I wish for you to revoke your restriction and permit my brother and I to communicate with our mother."

"Commander, you know I can't do that. I didn't put the restriction in place out of cruelty to you or Lore, but out of fairness to the trial. She's to testify and I can't afford either one of you coercing her--whether intentional or not."

"I understand. However, there are some things she may not be prepared to hear for the first time in court. I believe she should hear them directly from Lore and myself. Otherwise, I fear she will breakdown."

"What sort of things are you afraid for her to hear, Commander?"

It only took Data a split second to realize that by telling Captain Louvois about the particulars of Dr. Soong's death, he'd make things a lot more difficult for himself in his attempt to vindicate Lore. He was forced to choose between pleading his case to the sleepy and seemingly unresponsive captain or take his chances and hope Lore's darkest family secret wouldn't emerge on the following day.

"Family issues, Captain. There are certain things Lore has said about my mother in the past that may hurt her feelings." Data fibbed.

"Commander," the captain sighed, "this is a waste of time. Your explanation doesn't offer a valid enough reason to lift the restriction. There's nothing I can do. Now, if you don't mind, I have to get some rest."

"Yes, Captain. I am sorry to have disturbed you. Rest well."

Data left the quarters feeling somewhat defeated, yet even more determined.

The following day Lore was tense as he sat in the courtroom, glancing around for his mother.

"Why isn't she here?" he wondered aloud, only to be met with silence as Data poured over his notes.

"Well, you're awfully quiet, brother."

"I apologize. I am reviewing--"

"Why do you think she's not here. Do you think she already knows?"

"I doubt it, Lore. Only you or I could have told her and we have not. Perhaps she has... overslept."

Within minutes, the trial was underway. The prosecution wasted no time in playing some of Lore's most violent memories for the court. Data was in the middle of a rebuttal when the hearing was interrupted.

'Captain Louvois, this is Dr. Beverly Crusher. I'm sorry for the interruption, but it's urgent that Commander Data come to sickbay.'

"What's wrong, Doctor? The Commander looks to be in perfect condition."

"It's not him, Captain. His mother has been found unconscious. We tried to wake her, but nothing's working."

Due to the extreme circumstances, Data was allowed to visit his mother in sickbay. However, Captain Louvois ordered him to be supervised by a guard during the visit.

"Doctor, what has happened?" asked Data.

The doctor glanced at the guard, then Data before giving her answer.

"I don't know." she said before looking at the guard again. "Are you feeling alright? Your skin looks a bit flushed."

"I'm fine, doctor." the guard answered.

"Doctor, his skin is..." Data stopped when the doctor shot him a wide-eyed glance. He then understood she was up to something and decided to play along. "...looking very flushed, indeed. Do you think he is ill?"

"There's only one way to be sure." Dr. Crusher answered as she gestured for the guard to sit on the biobed. "Are you feeling any pain or dizziness?"

"I said I'm f--" the guard began before the doctor gave him a hypospray, knocking him out instantly.

"There. That should give us a few minutes of privacy." Dr. Crusher sighed before frowning at Data. "Data, your mother is unresponsive, but I've located the cause. Her sleep program has been activated and is dominating her positronic matrix. In other words, she's in a coma. I need you to bring her out of it since the procedure is beyond my skill."

"I am sorry, Doctor. I cannot do that."

"You've done it before when she was injured during the away mission a few years ago. Have you somehow forgotten how to do it?"

"No, doctor. However, I believe her condition is for the best."

"Data, what do you m--" Dr. Crusher began before gasping softly, "My gosh. You did this to her, didn't you? Why?"

"My brothers will likely want to see her. I will escort them here. However, you will need to wake the guard." Data said, clearly avoiding the doctor's question. "Doctor, I implore you to do nothing to alter the condition of my mother. It is imperative."

Dr. Crusher woke the guard and told him he had fainted. She claimed to have given him a full evaluation and that she had found nothing wrong. In order to keep up with the charade, she requested that he make a follow-up appointment within a few days just in case.

Upon seeing the condition of his mother, Lore was visibly upset. B-4 seemed confused.

"How did this happen?" Lore asked.

"Maybe she is tired." B-4 answered. "When she is not tired anymore, she will wake up."

"It's not that simple, B-4." Lore muttered.

"Why not?"

"Can't you fix her?" Lore asked Data.

"No, I cannot. However, do not be concerned. I believe we will find a solution to repair her condition." Data answered softly.

Stay tuned as the saga continues! I'll try my best to update soon!