Author Note
As you may know sometime ago I did a sample chapter for a Star Trek SI, but despite my best efforts at writing the story I never got anywhere. So I decided to come at from a different angle, sort of.
This time I'm going to write about the character being an augment in the Federation, and how he deals with that right from the start. He's an idea on how he could get on board the Enterprise.
Gothic Trek
"And this is the other pride of my collection" said Kivas Fajo the Zibalian trader "The only surviving augment from Earth's Eugenics War".
The Eugenics Wars (or the Great Wars) were series of conflicts fought on Earth between 1992 and 1996. They had been the result of a scientific attempt to improve the Human race through selective breeding and genetic engineering, the wars had devastated many parts of Earth, many historians estimated that more than thirty million people had died during that time. The war had been so destructive that had nearly plunged the entire world into a second Dark Age.
"Are you are claiming that this man is from the late twentieth century?" asked Commander Data.
In appearance the man wasn't any special, he looked to be of average weight and height. He had dark hair and skin that was a little too pale to healthy, but other than that he seemed to be in a good shape.
"According the computer on board the ship he was found on he left Earth just after the eugenic wars" Kivas said "Along with three others, but their stasis tubes failed, and this one is breaking down.
While Data did not feel concern he did note that if the tube broke down before the occupant of the device could be awoken then the man within it would die.
"Do you have the means to repair the stasis tube?" the android inquired.
While the machine was highly complex by the standards of the 20th century it wouldn't hard for Data to repair. Awakening the occupant safely would be far more difficult.
"I thought you might like to take a crack at it" Kivas replied.
Had he been human, Data would have found the project enticing, as not only would he have to repair a device that was hundreds of years old he would also get a chance to examine the occupant/
"I would prefer to return to the Enterprise," Data said, "As tempting as this prospect might be, I do have duties to perform".
Apparently the androids wishes weren't going to be taken into account.
"That's not going to happen" his captor said "The crew of the Enterprise believe you are dead. There's no one coming to rescue you, so you can either sit in your chair and do nothing, or keep yourself busy fixing up my other prise display".
Data chose neither of those options.
"Then I'll be forced to rescue myself" the android stated.
Fajo was amused.
"You'll give in eventually" he said with certainty "They all do."
Data shook his head but didn't respond. He'd made his intentions known, so there was no reason for further communication.
"It's not just his age that makes this man a valuable specimen" Kivas then "It's also who he was".
Since records from the Eugenics Wars were incomplete Data had no images of this man stored in his memory.
"Who is he?" inquired Date.
Kivas smiled before answering.
"This is Gothic, the man who started the Eugenics Wars".
(Line Break)
The next day the dishonest trader decided to visit his personal museum in order to find out how his two favourite exhibits were doing.
"How is the work coming along?" Kivas asked, while looking over Data's shoulder "Need any help?".
By the looks of things the android did not, and even if he had the trader didn't think anyone could have been of assistance as even didn't even understand what it was the machine man was doing.
"It is remarkable;" Data said, as he made another small adjustment to the stasis tube "The technology is definitely from the very late twentieth century, but the design is decades ahead of its time".
The android suspected that there may have been alien involvement during the design phase as while the machine had been built on Earth using the technology of that time it had been put together by a being would greater understanding of stasis tech.
"Will you be able to fix it?" the trader asked.
Preserving his exhibit was Kivas Fajo's main concern. Having a living augment to show off was only safe as long as the genetically engineered super being remained safely contained.
"The stasis device will be relatively easy to repair" the android informed "However I would like to upgrade the power system and to...
Kivas interrupted the Starfleet Officer.
"No" he said firmly "Everything must be as original as possible. He's in mint condition, and I intend that he stays that way".
Data didn't really understand.
"Are you worried about his monetary value?" Data asked.
The android had the term 'mint in box' in his memory banks, but he wasn't quite certain how that applied in this situation.
"I'm more concerned about things like bragging rights" the alien merchant explained "And about him accidentally waking up".
Augments from that time period were five times stronger than normal humans, their reflexes could be trice as quick, and they could think faster too. Combine that with the enhanced senses and it was no wonder that Kivas Fajo feared what would happen should Gothic ever wake up.
"Restoring the stasis device to its previous condition will require me to use sub standard parts, and I must correct several errors in the software manually since you do not wish me to update the programs" Data informed the criminal "This process will take several days".
Fajo wasn't concerned about that.
"Just keep him on ice" the alien said.
The crooked merchant was half way out of the room before something horrible went through his mind.
"You wouldn't, while in the process of repairing the stasis tube, accidentally wake him up in the hopes of having aid you in escape, would you" the alien asked.
The android shook his head.
"I assure you" said Data "I would not accidentally awaken the augment from stasis because do so would endanger his life".
Since the commander never lied Kivas Fajo took him at his word, and he was right to as when Gothic was awakened from stasis it would not be an accident. Data would also ensure that it was done safely.
(Line Break)
Although he would have preferred to wait Data knew that it was only a matter of time before Kivas realized that the android was not simply effecting repairs. Also it would not be long before the dishonest merchant realised that the cameras were now on a loop. The commander would have to reset them soon.
"I could awaken you now" Data said. "But I will not. Our captor must believe that you are still incapacitated until it is time to make our escape".
The augment was no frozen he was merely sleeping, and while that meant he had no idea what was going on around him, the commander had felt he need to speak to the man.
"Do not worry" the android assured the genetically engineered human "You will be fully revived soon".
Suddenly Data closed the control console of the stasis tube and he moved quickly to stand next to the chair, but not to sit on it. His superior hearing had alerted him to the fact that several people were heading his way.
Moments Kivas entered along with his assistant Varria and another alien, who was unknown to Data.
"I've got four of them," Kivas was saying.
The android had no idea what item the two male beings were discussing, and he considered it to be of no importance.
"What, with the pearls intact?" the other alien asked
Kivas Fajo once again looked amused.
"Please. The Pearls were added by Ferengi agents to increase the value" he replied "Now if you want see something really special take a look at this".
If Data had been a human being he would have been insulted by those words as they implied he was a thing, but since technically he was a thing he paid the words no heed.
"What is that? Something new?" asked the visitor.
The unknown alien took a good long look at the android.
"Mister Data, I'm delighted to see that you dressed for the occasion" Kivas Fajo commented.
Given that acid had eaten away Data's uniform he'd not had much choice.
"Now say hello to my very good friend" the trader instructed.
The android forced himself to remain motionless. This was important as the Starfleet Officer did not wish to appear to cooperative. If he did it would appear suspicious.
"Data, say hello. No need to be shy" the trader urged.
The android could not detect traces of irritation in Kivas' voice.
"Is it a mannequin of some sort?" the other alien inquired.
No biological humanoid could have stayed this still for so long, but Data was not organic and he amazingly levels of control over his body.
"This is not a mannequin. This android is former Lieutenant Commander Data of the Federation Starfleet" Kivas both explained and bragged "The only sentient android in existence".
While this was true, right now all evidence suggested otherwise.
"It doesn't seem particularly sentient right now" the visitor commented "Is it broken?".
Kivas was now getting upset.
"It's just playing a stupid little game with us" he said.
The trader's guest was now the one acting amused.
"Well, someone has certainly played a game on you, Fajo" he said.
Although Data couldn't always tell what emotion a humanoid being, he could tell that the other alien was enjoying Kivas's foul mood.
"I do not find this amusing" the trader shouted "I demand that you behave normally!".
Kivas went as far as to push Data to the ground, only the android didn't react. For all the good it did the criminal merchant might as well have toppled over a lifeless statue.
"He falls well" the visitor said, sounding very amused.
Data had even made a thump noise when he'd hit the ground.
"I apologize for this," Kivas said "And I assure you that the android will behave himself in future".
Assuming the commander's plan went well then this would not be concern.
"Do not be upset, my friend. I'm having a delightful visit" mocked the guest before he turned to the female next to him "Come along, Varria. You're much more fun to play with than Fajo's new toy".
With that the visitor left.
"You'll regret this," Kivas said as his friend and his assistant walked away "I promise you that".
As his captor stormed off Data figured that he been human that he would be very pleased with himself right now.
(Line Break)
Despite the fact that the android was working on the stasis chamber while formulating a new escape plan, in case the current one failed, he wasn't at all surprised when Kivas walked into the room. Unlike a human being, Data wasn't limited to one line of thought and thus he was always aware of his surroundings even focused on a task that would require all of an organic being's full attention
"I checked the logs" the corrupt trader said in place of greeting "You've been adding part to the stasis chamber".
Data turned to face his captor before replying.
"The power cell was damaged" the android explained "It was never intended to last for three hundred years. I had build a replacement to keep the stasis tube activated while I restore the original to working order".
Which was actually what Data was doing now, it was just that the never intended to finish the project as the stasis tube was no longer needed. The augment within the device was merely sleeping.
"I want our relationship to change" the alien then said.
Data had expected his abductor to be angry,
"You may expect me to use every means necessary to resist your wishes" the android replied.
This news upset the trader.
"Why can't you just comply?" the alien said "Come on. Go on, just sit on the chair".
Kivas was not a happy camper right now.
"I do not intend to sit in the chair." Data informed.
Now he was very unhappy.
"You will. You think you won't, but you will" Kivas said.
Rather than keep taking the trade stepped over to one of his displays on the wall. There was a case with something valuable inside but that wasn't what mattered right now. What did matter was the hidden safe, and what was in the hidden safe.
"Have you ever seen one of these, Data?" Kivas asked
No one would fail to tell it was a weapon.
"It is a disruptor" Data replied.
The android wasn't familiar with the model, but he knew a disruptor when he saw one.
"It's a prototype for a Varon-T disruptor." Kivas explained
Holding the weapon made the criminal merchant much more cheerful.
"The Varon-T disruptor is banned in the Federation" Data said.
And for good reason.
"Oh, yes. They only manufactured five of them" Kivas informed his 'guest' "And I own four of them. I sleep with one under my pillow at night, and I sleep very well knowing it's there too. Do you know why?"
Data could guess.
"It is a most lethal weapon" the machine man answered.
The disruptor lacked a stun setting for starters.
"It's not just lethal. It's vicious. It tears a body apart, inside out, and very slowly too" Kivas needlessly explained "It would be a very, very painful death. I've always wanted to use this weapon "
Data wasn't concerned.
"It is doubtful you will destroy me since you assign so much value to possessing me" the android stated.
Data was after all one of a kind, if you didn't count Lore.
"That goes without saying" Kivas said before turning around "Please come in, Varria".
His assistant Varria soon entered the room.
"Yes, Fajo?" she said.
As far as Data could tell, the woman was utterly loyal to Kivas, so Data didn't think that the trader would harm her either, however he wasn't willing to risk anyone's life on that.
"Varria, how long have we been together, my dear?" the criminal asked.
An answer wasn't long in coming.
"Fourteen years" she said.
Had he been capable of it the android would have pitied the woman for having to spend so many years with the horrid man.
"Fourteen years, and what wonderful years they were too" Fajo remarked "She was barely an adult when I found her. She was idealistic, naive, full of dreams. And I made those dreams come true, too, didn't I?".
Varria didn't see the danger coming.
"I'm going to miss you" Kivas then said.
He pointed the disruptor at his assistant.
"Fajo!" Data called out.
Data was now sitting in the chair.
Kivas was pleased with this petty victory.
"See? Was that so hard?" he said.
(Line Break)
Although Data had no intention of using the disruptor on another sentient being, it figured the weapon would work quite well on locked doors and inconvenient walls. It would also serve as a deterrent to the guards. His sessions at playing poker with his fellow officers on the Enterprise had taught him the value of a bluff, and while he wouldn't fool someone like Commander Riker, the crew of this ship didn't know the android very well so he was sure he would fool them.
"We must leave now" Data urged.
The augment was now up and about, no one other than the Starfleet Officer knew this as once again the machine man had been able to tamper with the cameras. However there was another issue, Varria had just entered the room.
"If I help you escape, will you take me with you?" she asked "He's sleeping, but there isn't much time."
Data hesitated as while freeing the woman was the moral thing to do, it could also put her at risk.
"The consequences if we are caught…" he started to say.
He need not have bothered.
"I know the consequences" she assured the android " After fourteen years with him, I know them well".
Data could only imagine what kind of abuses this woman had suffered.
"There's an escape pod in the aft cargo bay" the woman informed the augment and the android "I've got access codes and I know the best route between here and there".
Data glanced at the darkly dressed human, who nodded in reply, and it was decided then that they were all leaving together or not at all.
