Twenty-Six: The Experiment

We were puzzled as to how Vencel was able to use contractions and experience emotions. One day, Data came up with a hypothesis. He believed that somehow, his emotion chip had written itself into the subroutines in his positronic matrix. Since Data's positronic brain was used as a model to create Vencel's, it was only logical that the emotions were included into his system as well. To test this theory, Data asked me to assist him in an experiment. He asked me to assist him in removing the emotion chip. I initially objected. I was afraid that if something went wrong, I would lose my Data. I feared that if he lost his emotions and could not regain them, I'd lose his love. After much persuasion on Data's part, I finally agreed.

One weekend, our three children stayed with my parents. Data and I decided to utilize that time for the experiment. Data was seated in the lab and I stood behind him after giving him a loving kiss. My hands trembled as I removed a large panel from his head. I wept silently. I still wasn't fully used to seeing him that way. After all the time we'd been together, I viewed him as human. Data instructed me on what I had to do. I took a deep breath and took a moment to steady my hands.

"Kadalynn, are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm just really nervous, that's all. I'm afraid I'll make a mistake."

"Kadalynn, I trust you. Please, trust yourself as well. It will be alright." He said calmly.

Data had never led me astray and his statement provided me with the extra boost of strength I desperately needed. After I carefully removed the chip and set it aside, I replaced the panel on Data's head. I knelt before him, looking up into his face. His eyes were closed.

"Data?" I asked gingerly. "Are you alright?"

He opened his eyes and regarded me for a moment, cocking his head.

"Yes." He answered.

"Do you remember me?"

"Yes. You are Kadalynn Soong, my wife."

I smiled with relief. However, I had an uneasy feeling that something wasn't quite right.

"Do we have any children?"

"Yes. We have three. Lysander, age 7; Geordan, age 5; and Vencel, age 2."

"Okay. Good." I responded before I noticed that something seemed odd with Data's face. "Data? How are you feeling?"

"I am functioning within normal parameters." He responded.

That was it! His emotions were gone! I gasped and immediately began to panic.

"Data, I'm reinstalling the emotion chip!" I exclaimed.

Before I could reach it, Data grabbed it from the table.

"What? This?" He asked while inspecting the chip as he raised from his seat.

"Yes. Data, give it to me!" I ordered as I reached for it, but Data raised it in the air, beyond my grip.

I made several futile attempts to leap for it, but Data was too tall.

"I don't want it to be reinstalled." He stated.

"Data, cut it out! I… Data! You used a contraction!"

"I'm aware of that, honey." Data said with a chuckle.

I was in total shock. He was still able to feel emotions after all! He'd been pulling my leg the whole time! Not only that, but he could use contractions!

"Data! You scared the crap out of me!" I exclaimed as I gently slapped him on the shoulder. "Well, your sense of humor is still intact… although it needs some serious work!"

"I'm sorry, Kadalynn. I couldn't resist." Data said while holding me close but I pulled away.

"That wasn't funny! Anyway, we need to run a complete diagnostic immediately. You're using contractions and we need to make sure nothing's wrong."

Data winked playfully and took a seat.

"Yes, dear." He obliged.

Thankfully, all of his functions were normal. Upon completing the diagnostic, I hugged him. I was so proud that he crossed over to the next level in his quest for humanity. For the remainder of the day, we logged his emotions as he recalled certain memories. Taking a tour of his memories was the quickest way for us to determine if all his emotions were still present. He experienced happiness, nostalgia, anger, sadness, humor, love and joy.

"Well, it looks like they're all there." I replied happily.

"I can think of at least one we missed." He replied.

"What's that, Data?"

Data said nothing as he regarded me with a smile. The look in his eyes said it all. He slowly loomed towards me. Suddenly I chuckled before tossing one of the small throw pillows in his direction. As he caught it, I used the opportunity to run to the other side of the living room.

"If you want me, you'll have to catch me!" I playfully exclaimed as I ran.

He nearly caught up to me before I positioned myself so that the sofa separated us. My heart raced as we continued to chuckle with anticipation. This playful game of tag didn't last for very long. I expected Data to attempt running around the sofa. Doing so would've allowed me two seconds head start to run away. Instead, he leapt over it. Surprised, I squealed before heading for the stairs. I only managed to take two steps before Data caught me. I surrendered to his fervent kisses, chortling during the breaks he allowed me for air. He carried me upstairs and into our bedroom where we explored one another without the aid of his emotion chip.