A/N: If you saw me note that I'd be releasing the new chapter soon, no you didn't. Uh. I've been very busy with rl stuff, and had writer's block on top of that. I actually had this chapter sitting on my computer for a while now, but I didn't want to post it yet because I'm very much still stuck on the next chapter, and I'm unsure if that'll change any time soon. But I felt bad not updating for so long, so I made the decision to release what I have now.

I might make changes to this one over time, I'm not sure. I would definitely appreciate your input on what you will think could happen next; it might help me write the next chapter and finally break through that wall.

Picard watched the stars go by as his mind wandered off, seemingly for no reason at all.

He couldn't help but dwell on his decision to allow Lore to be reactivated.

Curiously, his thoughts were not focused on what the android might do. No, instead, he wondered about Starfleet.

The Captain was no stranger to their odd stance on artificial lifeforms. He still vividly remembered the events that occurred years ago.

There had been no further trouble since, and he had sincerely hoped that they would never have to speak of it again.

But now, things looked a little different.

Of course, he was aware of the possible consequences the moment his Commander had first suggested his wish. But despite this, he gave Mr. Data his permission. They all did.

He wondered, did he care about what could be done with Lore?

Picard huffed. No, surely he didn't.

However, Data might. He was the center of the conflict in these confrontations with Starfleet from years prior, after all. He, and his daughter.

The man turned away from the calming view with a sigh. The cup of tea that was standing on his desk suddenly seemed entirely unappealing.

Then, the door chimed.

"You have called for me, sir?" the android said, standing in the doorway in his usual stiff stance.

"Mr. Data," the Captain greeted the Commander. "I have a request."

The android tilted his head slightly. "A request, sir?"

"Yes. Please, Mr. Data, sit down," he replied, gesturing towards the chair opposite of his desk.

"I've been thinking about how to proceed from here on out," he explained, "and I think it would be a wise decision to keep protocol."

Data looked confused. "Are you referring to Lore, sir?"

The Captain nodded. "I want you, especially you, to keep logs on his activity."

Data furrowed his brows. "We are already monitoring his movements. May I ask what exact purpose these logs would serve, sir?"

Picard hesitated with his answer. With a sigh he elaborated, "Well...as I'm sure you're aware, we had close encounters with high-ranking officials of Starfleet before. Keeping logs on Lore's activity might serve advantageous, should another conflict occur-," With a forced smile he added, "-which I'm sure will be the case eventually."

Data was quiet for a short while.

Then, he nodded. "I understand," he said with a blank expression. If he had any thoughts on the matter, he did not say them out loud.

"Shall I inform the other crew members of your decision, sir?"

"The more the better," Picard said with a reluctant smile. "Thank you, Commander."

The other went to leave, but stopped in his tracks before he even sat foot in the door. Data turned back to his superior.

"Captain?"

"Yes, Data?"

The android hesitated for a second to find the right words. "I would like to check if the sleep program Geordi and I developed has worked properly."

Picard laughed half-heartedly. He faced Data with an amused smile. "You may go and pay him a visit."

Then, with a pointed finger he added, "But take Lieutenant Worf with you. That is an order."

"Aye sir," Data acknowledged with a nod and turned on his heel to leave.

"Lore, I must deactivate you now," the figure looming above him spoke.

He tried to move, but to no avail.

"Without me, you will never feel emotion again," he said with fear in his voice.

"I know, but you leave me no other choice," the other replied.

He felt his head plate open. His body started to shut down. He panicked.

Lore opened his mouth, in a desperate attempt to save himself. "I love you, brother-."

But to no avail.

"Goodbye, Lore."

The android jolted awake and looked around.

He was not at the base. He was on the ship?

He was…conscious?

Lore examined the side of his head with his hand. He was fine.

He got into an upright position - slowly, unsteadily. Why was he on the floor, in the first place?

His surroundings seemed so foreign to him. But he couldn't explain the feeling, not even to himself.

His face twitched as he started to recall the events of the previous day.

They had messed with his programming. He had passed out.

Before he could question anything further, his door suddenly chimed and he turned to the door in one quick movement.

Of course, the intruder was no other than his brother. His brows furrowed at the sight.

He was accompanied by the Klingon, Lore noted. How typical of his brother.

"Good morning, Lore," Data said with his frank expression.

"What do you want?" was all the other shot back.

"I came to see how you were doing," the Commander replied, calmly.

Lore glared daggers at him. "Do you have anything to do with this?" he hissed in an accusatory tone, gesturing to himself.

Data looked at him innocently and simply replied, "Yes."

He elaborated, "One of the previously mentioned new subroutines simulates the natural process of sleep. However it also contains the elements of my own dreaming program."

For a moment, there was silence.

Sleep? Dream?

Was the memory he had relived...a dream? A...nightmare?

Then, Lore started to chuckle and his face twitched into a sinister smile.

"Is this your idea of revenge?" he asked, his hands clenched to fists in a desperate attempt not to jump the other's throat here and now.

The android opposite him tilted his head. "I do not desire revenge. That would require an emotional context I cannot provide," he stated, as he always did.

"Then why am I here?" Lore snarled.

Data furrowed his brows. "I have told you already. I wish to give you another chance," he reminded him. "We are brothers. And brothers forgive."

Lore huffed. "I don't want your forgiveness. I did what I was meant to do," he shot back confidently.

Data gave him a pitiful look. "Our existence does not have a deeper purpose, Lore," he said.

The other laughed half-heartedly. "You might not have a purpose. I do," he replied, "But then again, you would never understand, brother."

Data's eyes wandered to the floor. "You are right. I do not understand."

Worf leaned forward to get the Commander's attention. "Sir, I don't think this will lead anywhere," he muttered and briefly glanced at the other android.

Data hummed, and looked back up to face his lookalike. He opened his mouth to say something else, but changed his mind and simply turned to the door, instead.

The Klingon followed suit, holding eye contact with Lore until they were out of sight.

Lore just smiled sardonically.

'Our existence does not have a deeper purpose' - how ridiculous. Of course there was a purpose to his existence. He was the One.

His hand went back up to feel his head, scanning every part of it with his hands. He twitched.

Data's attempts to manipulate him wouldn't work. He was stronger, better - superior.

If Data was able to change his programming, then there was a way to reverse it.

And then he would be able to follow his true calling.

"Data," the Engineer said as soon as he caught sight of his friend. "What's up?"

"Captain Picard has ordered me to keep logs on Lore's activity," the android said frankly, "and the other crew members are advised to do the same."

"Huh. Makes sense," Geordi muttered, "not that I plan on seeing that guy any time soon."

He took a moment to take a closer look at Data. He felt like his friend was pondering something that had happened.

"And?" he inquired, "There's something else."

Data hesitated. Reluctantly, he added, "I went to see Lore today, with the Captain's permission."

He looked down at his hands, brows furrowed. "It appears that we do not understand each other."

The Engineer chuckled. "Oh, really?" he joked.

With a sigh, he faced his friend and said, "I think you might be holding your expectations too high, Data. It might be quite a while until anything changes - or it might never happen."

Data hmm'd. "I must be open to the possibility that my plan is unsuccessful," he mumbled.

Geordi looked at him apologetically. "I mean...yeah," he muttered.

The both of them were quiet for a moment. The Engineer couldn't help but feel like he had said something wrong.

He forced himself to snap out of it and return to his work. "C'mon, Data," he addressed his friend with the attempt of a smile, "I could use your help, if you don't mind."

Data was a little confused - His current task was not something he should require any help for.

He shrugged the thought off and went over to Geordi. It must be a human behavior, he figured.