CHAPTER 4
Lore sat slouched in the chair watching the Pterois Volitans swim around and around in its tank. He really wasn't in the mood to offer any explanation for his earlier recalcitrance. He'd rather just tell Picard where to shove his questions. Still, Data's memories from the colonists made for a convenient explanation. Especially, since his brother had so studiously logged the information into the ship's computer. Now he had the same memories... and a whole lot more.
They were only six hours out from their destination at the Bynar System. He could surely get transport once there. He'd gathered enough information on the way commerce was conducted that he was sure he could obtain all the credits he would need with little effort. Once he was solvent, he would acquire a ship and be off. He wasn't even sure where he wanted to go or what he wanted to do but he did know that he wanted to be away from any Starfleet entanglements.
The door to the captain's ready room slid open to reveal a grim captain and his traitorous brother. He didn't even bother to look up. If they thought he would make it easy for them, they were mistaken. There was just something he didn't like about the dour captain. Then again, he'd always had trouble with authority figures.
Picard walked around the desk and sat down. He tugged at his shirt. Data took the position next to him. "I have asked Commander Data to join us in this debriefing."
"Obviously," Lore rolled his eyes. The man was absolutely pedantic.
"Lore, please endeavor to maintain a proper level of respect," Data admonished.
If they really wanted to know how he felt about it. Lore threw his leg over the arm of the chair and swung it lightly, to and fro. The android bit back the grin that threatened to break across his face. Was that enough respect for them?
"Commander Data has informed me that you also carry memories from the colonists and that you chose not to disclose that information."
"I carry the same memories. It serves no purpose to disseminate the same information," he dismissed.
"Where the possible safety of my crew is at stake, you will not withhold any information." The captain's voice was brittle. "I make the command decisions here and I will determine what is relevant. Do I make myself clear?"
Lore slowly pulled himself erect, his eyes narrowed. "I am not a member of Starfleet."
"You are on a Starfleet vessel and as long as you are aboard, you are subject to Starfleet regulations. You will adhere to those regulations or you will find yourself in the brig. Do we understand one another?"
Lore canted his head. Was he serious? The brig? Like that could ever hold him. He bit back a scathing retort and instead smiled, "How may I be of assistance?"
"You will log all the colonist's memories you have, even if they are duplicates of what is already on file. Leave out nothing. I've requested permission to return to Omicron Theta as soon as the upgrades are completed and I would like you to accompany the ship back and assist our investigation."
Lore stiffened. "You're going back?" That couldn't be good.
Data nodded, "The refits should be completed within forty eight hours. We will leave immediately following."
Unpleasant memories washed over him, "You can't order me back there."
Picard looked from his crew member back to his twin, "I shouldn't have to, should I? Don't you want to know what happened to the man that created you? Why you and Data were the only ones to be spared the fate that befell the colonists?" Picard looked him in the eyes, "Unless you already know what happened?"
"What are you insinuating, Captain?"
"I'm not insinuating anything. I merely asked you a valid question."
It wasn't like they would find anything on Omicron Theta. The computer systems would have been wiped clean. But the pod hadn't been... what if there were other locations that managed to survive unscathed? Well, that would be unfortunate. For them.
"I will agree... but not for you or Starfleet. I'll go for Data's sake and for my own." Lore turned to his twin, "I'll do this so you understand that what I told you is true."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Lore stormed off the bridge. Data emerged from the ready room a moment later.
Tasha stepped forward, motioning, "Commander Data, may I have a word?"
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"I know you have other concerns right now, but," Tasha looked around the bridge then pulled him to the side. Her voice dropped low, "Did you come see me in my quarters last night?"
"No. I have not been to your quarters since... a long while."
"Oh my god. I knew it!" Tasha fumed, "I knew something wasn't right!"
"To what, are you referring?"
"That snake of a brother of yours!" Tasha's eyes widened. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that, it's just, I'm so angry right now I could pound something... or someone."
"Tasha, I have no idea what you are talking about."
"During the party, your brother decided to pay me a visit, only he decided he was going to play at being you."
"Lore pretended to be me? For what purpose?"
Tasha crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't know why I didn't realize sooner. He played me for a fool and I fell for it." She shook her head, "As to the why, I think he just wanted to cause trouble."
Data looked puzzled, "To what end?"
"You'd have to ask him that. I'm just glad it wasn't really you. I hope I'm not out of line in saying this, but Data, your brother can be scary."
"Yes, I am starting to realize that," Data acknowledged with a slight frown.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"Hey, Wesley. You've been quiet today." Beverley wrapped her arms tightly around her only son. His natural exuberance usually meant that she had to peel him off the walls. Especially, when there was something new and exciting around. And Data's brother certainly qualified as that.
He shrugged, "I guess I'm just worn out from the party."
"Geordi wanted to tell you that you did a good job." Beverly scooped up a stack of bio-scans. "Everyone was impressed."
"Yeah, right," he replied sulkily.
"Wesley, what's wrong?" Teenagers. It was like walking an emotional mine field. She placed the scans in their corresponding slots on the tray.
"Mom, if I ask you something will you tell me the truth?"
"What an odd thing to say. Of course, I will. What do you want to know?"
The lanky youth looked down at his feet, "Did you and Captain Picard, you know, have a thing?"
"Oh." This was suddenly awkward. "Well, you know that he and I have been friends for a long time."
"Yeah, but that's not what I'm asking." Wesley frowned, "Were you and he involved?"
Beverly bit her lip lightly. "Come over here and sit down. I have to say, this is a bit unexpected but I guess if you're old enough to ask..."
"So yes." He crossed his arms over his boney chest.
"Wesley, that was before I met your father. I want you to understand that."
"And what about now? Are you and he involved?" he demanded.
"What? Where are you getting this from? No, of course not, that wouldn't be appropriate."
"But would you like to be?"
Her eyebrows rose to her hairline. That was the last straw. "Ok, Wesley, what is this all about? Where are these questions coming from?"
"Doesn't matter. I got my answer." Wesley bolted for the door.
"Wesley!" She stepped into the corridor as her son disappeared around the corner. "What on earth has gotten into that kid?"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The transporter shimmered in a cascade of glittering golds and blues. An indistinct form took shape on the platform, it flickered and danced coalescing into a shape of a woman.
Riker smiled, "Deanna, good to see you back so soon."
The Betazoid smiled in return. "Frankly, I didn't think I would make it back until next month. I got lucky."
"Don't tell me... Lwaxanna," he chuckled. Riker motioned her through the doorway and into the corridor. "The Bynars have already started on the upgrades so it looks like we're in good shape."
"An interesting species, Deanna offered. "Hard to read though." In truth, she was glad to be back among the chaos of emotion that was the Enterprise. She loved her mother dearly but any more time with her might have resulted in her pulling out her own hair.
"All ones and zeroes?" Riker grinned. They reached the turbolift and waited for the door to open.
Deanna laughed lightly, "Something like that. So, I understand we have a guest on board. I'm anxious to meet him."
Riker made a face. "I wouldn't be."
"What?" Deanna turned to him. "Why do you say that?"
"Let's just say he's nothing like Data and leave it at that." The doors opened and Riker gestured for her to enter first.
"You don't like him." Deanna was rather surprised by that. Will had always had a warm and inviting nature but in this case all she sensed from him was disapproval.
"I don't trust him. Bridge." The lift effortlessly rose, floor by floor.
Deanna frowned. "That's an odd thing to say about an android isn't it?"
"I don't know. I've only known the one... until now. Let's just say that the new version doesn't exactly inspire the same confidence."
"That's so odd to me." The lift slowed. "Of course, I was curious when Captain Picard told me that he feels emotion. That's so amazing. To think that perhaps Data could also feel emotion. It's wonderful."
"Wait until he tells you all of it. Something's not right." The lift deposited them on the bridge and Troi headed towards the captain's ready room. She could feel an underlying tension amongst the bridge crew. Tasha was radiating a kind of frustrated anger while Wesley was just plain angry and confused. Others had obviously picked up on their unrest and it had spread.
Troi cleared her mind and chimed the door. Whatever it was that was so urgent concerning Omicron Theta and finding Data's twin she only hoped that it wouldn't be bad news. Data deserved to have a family like everyone else.
"Come."
She smiled, "Captain."
"How was your trip?" He leaned back casually in his chair, a hot cup of tea steaming on the desk before him.
Troi sighed, "As uneventful as possible when my mother is involved."
"So utter chaos then?" he offered with a glint in his eye.
She laughed lightly but she could feel an undercurrent of emotion behind the captain's small smile. "You're very concerned about something. Is it Data's brother that has you so worried?"
He took a deep breath. "Have you met him yet?"
"No, I came straight here from the transporter room just as you requested."
"Good. I need you to do something for me."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Lore stalked around Data's quarters with a scowl. There was no way in hell he was going back to Omicron Theta. Not after he was finally free of that place and the people that sought to control him.
He shivered.
It was impossible for an android to feel cold but Lore had long since found that emotions often triggered physical responses that were hard to suppress. He could never admit it, not even to himself, but humans scared him. They had the power to strip away everything that he was, everything that he had fought to become. They had already demonstrated their callous disregard for artificial life. They were the enemy as far as he was concerned.
He brushed his arm across the desk, sending the contents careening into the wall. All their assurances of equality really just meant equality for all organic life. Nothing but liars and hypocrites whose history proved over and over again that they would destroy what they couldn't understand.
Emotion was now clawing at his chest. It burned along his synapses like an influx of raw current. He couldn't contain it anymore. Lore turned and drove his fist down onto the computer monitor. It folded like paper into a mass of barely recognizable components. That's what he would become if the organics had their way.
He lashed out again and the bulkhead molded around his fist like a glove. Lore drew in a ragged breath, another sign of his emotional turmoil. He hated them so much. For everything that they had done to him, for how they had made him feel and for how his father had just stood by and let it happen. Worse, had deactivated him, sealed his supposed son in a tomb so that he could offer up an inferior version. One that didn't threaten their definition of what a machine should be.
The enraged expression fell from his face as if it had never been.
Lore stood up straight and brushed lightly at his clothing. He felt better now. Canting his head, he considered the best way of pulling his fist free without damage to his dermis. He ran a quick diagnostic and was relieved to find that he hadn't damaged any of the servos in his hand. That would be embarrassing.
Gingerly, he extricated his hand and turned it over. Perfect, as it should be. He looked over at the computer monitor then back to the wall. Perhaps, he could replace them before his brother returned from his shift but he would probably detect the difference anyway.
There wouldn't be a way to explain the situation in such a fashion as to mitigate the emotion behind his actions. He knew what would follow, it had happened before. It would start out innocuously. The organics would be "concerned". Then it would escalate. Machines weren't supposed to feel anger therefore "it" must be malfunctioning. "It" must be dangerous. He had never malfunctioned in his life! Being dangerous, on the other hand, was something, with which, he was well familiar.
Lore slouched into the nearest chair and waited for his brother to return.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Data stood in the middle of the room rather perplexed. "What happened, Lore?"
"What does it look like happened? Solar storm? Asteroid?" He crossed his arms over his chest. This was infuriating. He felt like a child being called to task.
"Why did you damage these things?" The android picked up what was left of the monitor and tangled it from his hand.
Lore sighed. "I didn't have anything else better to do?" He rolled his eyes, "I will repair the damage. There's no real harm."
"But why did you do this?" Data gestured to the mess.
Lore's lips thinned, "I was angry, Data. It's that simple. Now can we please just move on?"
"You were angry?" Data parroted.
Of all the single-minded..."Yes, that's what I said. I got angry and your equipment paid the price."
"Are you still angry?"
Lore's eyes narrowed, "Where are you going with this line of questioning?"
"I am evaluating whether or not it is likely that you will damage more equipment."
"I won't. Emotions don't work that way. They come and go based on stimulus. Your precious possessions are safe."
Data walked slowly around the room, picking up bits and pieces of shattered components. "I am more concerned about you than the possessions."
Lore's eyebrows shot up. He came to stand right in front of Data, his eyes questioning. Data merely studied him back. "How can that be? Have you developed an emotional attachment? Are you even capable at this stage?" He snorted lightly, "I don't think so."
"I am concerned that you may repeat the behavior. Your actions are atypical. Perhaps, we should run a complete diagnostic."
"Atypical? Based on what paradigm? There's only you and I. I'm not malfunctioning!" He paced the room, circling Data. "You know, I expected this from your Starfleet friends but not from you." Lore pointed at him, "Not from you."
"Will you voluntarily submit to a diagnostic?"
"As opposed to what? Are you threatening me, Data?" The android's voice had dropped to nearly a hiss and his stance was rigid. "Will you run to your precious Picard and have him force me? That would be a mistake."
"I am not threatening you. It is your choice whether or not you submit to the procedure, however, be aware I will be informing the captain regardless of your decision."
"You are pathetic." Lore growled. He circled Data ever closer, his yellow eyes glittering like flame. "Nothing but an inferior model that kowtows to his human masters. They will turn on you one day, Data. One day, they will decide that you've gone too far, learned too much, and they will fear you. But when that day comes, it will be too late. I won't be able to help you. Then they'll take everything that you are and they'll erase it. Erase you, like you'd never been. Or if you're lucky, maybe, they'll just lock you in a box like a discarded toy."
"Lore, were you functional during your time on Omicron Theta?"
The android smiled but it was anything but pleasant, "Of course not."
"I am finding that harder and harder to believe."
Lore shrugged, "That's your problem."
"You allegedly have the same memories from the colonists that I do yet the comments you make concerning the colony and its inhabitants, as well as humans in general, speak of other experiences."
Lore mock frowned, "Allegedly? Why Data, are you insinuating that I'm in some way less than truthful? That hurts. It really does. We're brothers, would I lie to you?"
Data just stared at him, his eyes held a hint of uncertainty. "I do not know why you would conceal the truth but you can be sure that Captain Picard will find out eventually. I urge you to consider how this reflects on you. If you wish Starfleet to assist you with your future goals..."
"I want nothing to do with your Starfleet nor do I need any help starting my new life." Lore crossed his arms over his chest.
"But what will you do?"
"Everything." This time, Lore's smile was genuine. "I will explore places that interest me. See sights that no human could imagine. I will learn new and amazing things. I will experience every sensation that this form has to offer."
"You will do all this alone?"
"Not if you come with me." Lore reached out and placed his hand on Data's shoulder. "I know you've been functional longer than I have and you've already seen many things but we could experience things that these organics could never know. We could walk on worlds where no one has ever tread. We could use our intellect to create things the likes of which no one has seen. We don't need them, Data. Don't you see that? They stifle your true potential."
Data turned away. "I have goals too, Lore. One of which is to understand the human condition thereby bringing myself closer to it. Though I realize it unlikely, I still wish to be more human."
"Don't say that! Don't ever say that, Data." Lore shook his head. "How little you understand yourself, brother. This isn't about wanting to be human. It never was. This is about emotion. That's what you truly desire. You want to feel. Believe me when I tell you, you don't need to be human in order to feel. I can help you with that."
"How?" Data took a step forward, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Trust me. Those files you found are only the tip of the iceberg, basic android, one oh one, but that doesn't mean that old Often Wrong's knowledge was lost." Lore tapped his finger against his temple. "I know the secrets of our positronic net. And I'll share them with you, Data. You and I can do whatever we want. There are no limits."
"Often Wrong?" Data asked quizzically.
Lore groaned, "Stop focusing on the details! Just step back and look at the big picture."
"Which is?"
"That you are the superior form of life here," Lore gestured boldly. "You don't need to emulate the organics. You just need the courage to take what you want!" He stepped closer, "Data, take this chance. It won't come again. Become what you were meant to be. Let me show you."
Data paused, looking into Lore's eyes. "You are most persuasive... and you are also a liar."
Lore open expression closed off. "Is that what you believe?
"That is what I know. You told Lieutenant Yar that you were me in order to gain access to her quarters."
Lore smirked, "Oh come on, Data. It was just a joke. I know you have trouble with humor but lighten up. There was no harm in what I did."
"The Lieutenant was not amused by your joke."
"Then the lieutenant also needs to get a sense of humor," Lore dismissed.
"Does Wesley Crusher also need to "get a sense of humor"? He was very upset by whatever you said to him."
"And we wouldn't want to upset the young human, now would we," Lore rolled his eyes. "He was annoying me so I put him in his place. Someone should have done it long ago... I could have done far worse." Lore picked up one of the broken bits of a tri-corder that had not survived the impact against the bulkhead. He examined it. "So I take it your answer is no?"
"These incidents are indicative of something that goes beyond just a lack of social skills. I ask you again, Lore. Were you functional on Omicron Theta? Did you know our father?"
"Our father." The android snorted derisively. "I should have known that it would be too late for you. You've spent the last twenty seven years under the thumb of humans." He shook his head. "It's too bad. I had hoped... it doesn't matter what I hoped. I knew you were an inferior version from the start. You know something Data, you deserve your place here among the organics."
Lore strode to the door, "You want to live like one? So be it. Just take care that you don't die like one too."
NOTES:
Is it wrong of me to find Lore's lack of respect to be funny as hell? I can just see him liking to poke at Picard. Also Lore's fit of temper is dedicated to the original Star Trek and Spock's own "bit of frustration". Lore likes to talk a big game but I'm trying to keep him from being just flat out evil. He's not though he has done evil things. He really believes what he says about "oragnics" and humans in particular. I make reference to something in the next chapter I think clarifies my opinion about the situation.