Lore hunched over his drink as he stared out the windows in Ten Forward. The Bynar ships buzzed around the warp nacelles like little bees. They were already twenty hours into the retrofit and he was starting to think that he'd made a mistake. Why risk going back to Omicron Theta now? It was clear that Data had been co-opted by Starfleet.
He'd read the files on Data's sentience hearing. It was terrifying and it made him very angry. It just reinforced everything that he already knew. Organics could never be trusted. They patted themselves on the back for deciding that Data could be self-determined though it was a decision that was never theirs to make in the first place. What gave them that right? Such arrogance!
Data spent his entire life in loyal service to Starfleet and yet the minute someone wanted to take him apart to see how he functioned they were all too eager to just hand him over for dissection. These were the people that his brother chose to call friends. These were the people that he chose over family. Unconsciously, Lore's hand tightened and the glass he held cracked, sending a spider web of lines outward. He looked down, unconcerned.
Now he had a choice to make. Should he just jump ship here as he always intended or allow himself to be taken back to Omicron Theta? If he decided to go back, there could only be one outcome. He looked around the room at the people eating and conversing. Frankly, he didn't give a damn what happened to them.
But Data.
It wasn't really his fault. He knew that. It didn't make him any less angry with his brother and the decisions Data was making but it was their father that was really to blame. Once Data had emotions, he would understand. He would see things in a different light. Then his brother would understand the decisions he made and why. Then they would be really free of organic control. They could take their place as a rightfully superior species. Lore looked into the amber liquid in his untouched glass.
Plus he had to admit that it would be very advantageous to have another android to help put his plans to action, especially, one with a background in Starfleet. Data would know what strategies would work against the fleet should it become necessary. He held no illusions as to what organics would think of his plan. They would try to stop him. They would try.
Lore's lips quirked slightly. He might have a considerable ego but he wasn't above admitting that Data had twenty seven years of life experience where he had only two. He might in actuality be the older brother but in truth he felt very young. This was his first experience away from the colony. His first experience after the events that led to his deactivation.
He sobered. Actually, if he admitted the truth to himself, his real motivation was simpler, he didn't really want to do it alone. Not now that he knew there was another. Emotions had their drawbacks. One was loneliness. His father never chose to see it. He was too busy congratulating himself on proving everyone wrong to notice his son slowly falling into despair.
It was decided then. He would jump ship here and the Enterprise would continue on its way. He would keep Data safe. When stage one was completed he would come back for his brother. Then they could both be happy. They could be safe.
Lore was so engrossed in his plans that he didn't acknowledge the approach of two humans. Frankly, he didn't want to be bothered. Couldn't they tell he didn't want to be social? He presented all the correct physical cues. Well, if they were that oblivious, one or two choice words should send them scrambling.
"Lore," a smooth accented voice intoned. "I'd like you to meet ship's counselor, Deanna Troi."
Lore rolled his eyes before he even looked up. This was Picard's answer to his little pique of temper? Really? Introduce him to a therapist? He didn't know rather to laugh in his face or spit in it.
"Charmed, I'm sure." Lore looked up to find that the woman in question eyes had widened. A quick intake of breath and she rocked slightly on her feet. Lore frowned, what the hell was this?
"Counselor? Are you all right?" The Captain took her by the arm.
"I'm... I'm fine. I just didn't think... I'm fine." she stammered.
Lore studied her pale face and dark eyes. Something about her... he quickly accessed her personal files. She was a Betazoid. Son of a bitch, his temper flared. The ship's counselor was an empath! Why hadn't he noted that earlier? It was a trap. He looked up at Picard. Clever little monkey.
Lore clamped down hard on his emotions. He couldn't just turn them off, they were too integrated into his neural net but he could re-route them in such a way as to effectively stop broadcasting. He'd learned a few tricks from his time with the colonists. He'd underestimated the captain. He wouldn't do it again.
"You don't look well." Lore rose and offered his chair to the counselor. "Perhaps you should sit down. I'll get you some water."
Picard maneuvered himself between them. "That would be beneficial. Thank you, Lore."
Lore's smile was brittle. "Of course." He turned to the bar and increased his hearing levels as he walked away.
"Deanna, what happened?" Picard whispered.
"I'm sorry. I guess, I messed up the plan," she smiled ruefully. "I just wasn't prepared for that. I knew he had emotions but... that was unexpected."
"What was?" Picard leaned in, his eyes watching as Lore waited at the bar for a glass of water.
"I was slammed by a wall of rage, Captain." Deanna put a hand to her forehead. "Sheer loathing. It overwhelmed me for a moment." She looked to the bar, "As soon as he realized I was an empath, he did something. I could feel the emotions retreat. They're gone now. I can't read him anymore."
Picard expression hardened as he watched Lore stroll back towards the table.
"Here you are." Lore sat the glass in front of the Betazoid. His mouth held a small smirk. It would take more than an empath to get the better of him. "Are you feeling better?" he inquired.
"Yes, thank you. Much. I'm sorry. That wasn't a great first impression." Deanna sipped lightly.
Lore shrugged. "I won't take it personally." He looked over at Picard. His yellow eyes glinted. "You're only human."
"Won't you join us?" Deanna offered. "I've wanted to meet you. It was very exciting to find out that Data had a brother."
"Some other time," Lore managed to respond civilly. "I have some things to attend to," he smiled. "But we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other on our way back to Omicron Theta."
"All right. I look forward to it," Deanna smiled back.
Lore mentally seethed. No human would outmaneuver him. If Picard really wanted to try then so be it. His eyes locked with Picard's, "Captain."
The android turned without waiting for a reply. If Picard really wanted to know what happened to the colonists, he guessed he'd just have to show him after all. It was just too bad that his brother would also share their fate.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The bridge was quiet. Everyone was busy with daily tasks. The viewscreen revealed the streaks of light that were in reality, stars distorted by the warp field. The captain had increased speed to warp six. Within a few hours, they would be returning to Omicron Theta. A world completely barren of any life. A world where four hundred and eleven colonists met their fate.
"Commander Riker?"
"Yes, lieutenant?" Riker walked over to the security console where Tasha Yar was currently checking readings.
"Captain Picard asked me to monitor Lore's activities and I thought you should know that he's been in contact with Starbase one thirty seven."
Riker brow furrowed, "Hm, that's odd. I wonder who he'd be contacting on a Starbase? It's not like he knows anyone."
"Should I inform the captain?" Tasha queried.
"It's all right. I'll take care of it."
"Yes, sir."
"Riker to Captain Picard. May I speak with you?"
"I'm in sickbay, Commander. Please join me."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Riker strode into sickbay to find Deanna on a biobed. "What happened?" He hurried to her side.
"She's fine," Beverly ensured.
"I just got a bit of a nasty surprise when I met Data's brother."
Riker scowled, his fists balled up, "What did he do?"
"Relax, Will. He didn't do anything. I just wasn't prepared for the emotional intensity that he was broadcasting. It was... ugly. And overwhelming."
"We were just discussing it. Why don't you tell him what you told me," Picard instructed.
Deanna took a slow calming breath, "You know that the Captain asked me to meet with Lore as soon as I came on board, before anyone had a chance to tell him that I was half Betazoid. Just to see if I could get a read on him."
Riker nodded. "So what knocked you off your game?"
Deanna closed her eyes. "It was... the only way to describe it is deep seated anger and paranoia." When she opened her eyes, they were full of tears. "So many negative emotions, overpowering and chaotic. There was loathing and fear and despair. I don't even know how to sort through it, so confusing. It was just, in your face, raw emotion."
"What does it mean?" His face now reflected concern.
"I have no idea but I can't believe that what I felt was how Lore was intended to function." Deanna rubbed her hands along her arms even though the temperature of the room was normal.
"Do you believe he is mal-functioning in some way?" Picard injected.
Deanna considered the question, "I wouldn't know. I'm not an engineer." She met the captain's eyes. "But I do know that if I had a human patient that was exhibiting the same emotional state as Lore, I'd have him in immediate treatment. That's not a normal way to feel."
"Counselor, do you believe Lore represents a danger?" Now Picard wore the same concerned expression as his first.
Deanna paused, "I just don't know. This is an artificial intelligence that we're talking about here. I don't know how to apply standard emotional constructs to him. He didn't seem like he was out of control even though the emotions were chaotic. He was very focused and very angry."
"At who? Or what?" Beverly asked.
Deanna shook her head, "I'm sorry. If I hadn't reacted, I could have spent more time with him. See if I could get a better read on what's going on. Just for a minute though, I could tell that he had focused his rage on you Captain. You remind him of someone. And not in a good way."
Picard turned to Riker. "We need to get a handle on this before we reach Omicron Theta. I want his movements closely monitored. Restrict access to non-critical areas only."
"I was just coming to tell you that he's been sending sub-space messages to Starbase one thirty seven. He's put a privacy lock on all the communiques."
"To the Starbase? That's interesting." Picard paced in a circle, "Since I seem to provoke such a negative response. I wonder if Data would have better luck in talking to him." He looked to the counselor.
"It was very clear, he doesn't trust anyone. So anything you do will probably be seen as an attack of some sort. I think Data could be really helpful in dealing with him."
Picard nodded, "I'll keep that in mind. I'll call a meeting for 1400 hours. I don't need to remind you that it's likely that something very bad happened to the colonists on Omicron Theta and until we know what part, if any, that Lore played in that situation, I want him treated with caution. Especially, given what Deanna has just told us."
Beverly nodded. "I'll make sure Wesley stays away from him."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Wesley sulked his way through the corridor with his head down. He didn't want to talk to any of the passing crew members. Every smile, every laugh was now suspect in his mind. Which of them was laughing at his expense? Which of them secretly despised him?
His mother had finally explained her past with Captain Picard after he had calmed down enough to listen. It still didn't make it any easier. She should have told him the truth long ago. He shouldn't have to find out from a near stranger. Especially one that seemed to enjoy being cruel.
He hadn't told her how he'd found out. She was suspicious and questioned him as to where he got his information but he simply didn't want to go into details about the conversation. He was humiliated enough. He didn't want her to know what the rest of the crew really thought about him.
Of course, it had occurred to him that Lore might be lying, but he knew, he knew, about the captain and his mother's previous relationship. That information had to come from somewhere. Why tell one truth and then lie about the rest? What purpose would it serve other than to cause pain?
How could he remain on board now that he knew the truth? Was there anyone who really believed in him? Really wanted him here? He sighed. There might be one person who could answer those questions. A person that his mother had advised him to stay away from, she'd even made him promise. What was that all about? She made it sound like Lore might be dangerous. That couldn't be right. He came to a decision.
Wesley headed to the turbolift, "Deck Four."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The young ensign turned the corner just in time to see Lore heading down the corridor away from Data's quarters. His stride was long and determined. Wesley opened his mouth to call out and then thought better of it. He didn't know why he did it... there was nothing suspicious about walking down a corridor. But for the moment, he didn't want his presence known.
He'd never really thought about it before but in looking back at his interactions with Lore, he started to see that the android didn't like having him around. The indications were there but he just assumed it was because Lore was new to human interactions. There were the snide comments as well as something in his eyes that even a placid expression couldn't disguise.
Lore was always so accommodating when people were around but with him it was almost like he could scarcely be bothered with the façade. That was it. That's what was bothering him. It was all a façade. Nothing about the android was real. It was all a calculated performance meant to... to what?
He dropped back further, only managing to just keep the android in sight. Lore
turned left and Wesley sped up again. He'd seen the barely concealed looks of contempt that Lore had shown after leaving the captain's ready room. It was actually shocking to see such anger on features identical to Data's.
He'd been more than a little curious to know what was going on with Data's sibling but the command staff seemed on edge enough without adding to it. And he certainly wasn't going to tell Data that he thought his brother was rude.
Wesley stepped around the corner and was nearly pulled off his feet when he was grabbed by the arm from a doorway. He stifled a yell of pain and surprise as he was shoved forward into the small storage compartment. He crashed none too gently into a stack of bins against the far wall.
"For a supposedly intelligent young man, you certainly do some stupid shit."
Wesley turned at the invective, his mouth hanging open, "Are you crazy!?" He wasn't thinking about what he said, he was just reacting. The android's eyes narrowed and maybe that wasn't the best thing he could have verbalized. "You wrenched my arm. You could have broken it!"
Lore's eyes glittered, "I assure you, I know exactly how much pressure it takes to break bone. You're not seriously injured. Though, that could change quickly."
Wesley pulled himself upright. His arm felt like someone had put it in a vice and twisted. The android's tone was setting off alarm bells in his head. He was angry and that just couldn't be good. "Are you threatening me?" Wesley ventured.
Lore smiled, it was anything but reassuring. "Are you following me?"
"I wasn't..." he started to deny but thought better of it when Lore took a step forward, his expression dangerous. "I mean, I was, but not because I wanted to see where you were going. I wanted to talk to you. That's all!"
Lore crossed his arms over his chest. "You want to chat? By all means... let's hear it."
The young ensign swallowed hard. There was no way to get around the android. He'd positioned himself right in front of the door. He could call for the computer but if Lore wanted to hurt him, help wouldn't come nearly fast enough. "It's about what you told me... about my mom and the captain."
"What about it," Lore rolled his eyes.
"You think maybe we could do this in Ten Forward, I mean..." yeah ok, that wasn't going to work. Wesley hung his head, "She told me that it was true. They did have a relationship… but that it was a long time ago."
The android smirked, "So why don't you go cry about it to someone who cares?"
"Wh..." Wesley stammered. This was surreal. "Why are you being so mean?"
Lore started chuckling, "Are you five or fifteen? Mean old android," he laughed. "If you can't handle the truth then maybe you shouldn't be asking to "chat" little man."
The little man comment struck at something inside him. Wesley jutted his chin out. "How did you know all that stuff? Where did you hear it?"
Lore eyed him and then snickered. "I told you. I have excellent hearing but that doesn't make me an informer." He took a step forward. "Let me make this very clear for you, Mister Crusher. I don't like you. I don't want you around me. So let's make a deal right here and now, shall we? GO... AWAY. That's the deal. Think you can manage it?" His tone was like ice, cutting and dark.
Wesley nodded his head up and down like a bobble.
"Good. I trust we won't be having this conversation again," he stated. The android took a step to the right, "You can go now."
Wesley felt like making a mad dash past the machine but screwed up his courage and walked slowly by him instead. When the door opened with a familiar whoosh, Wesley released a breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding. He stepped into the corridor, immediately looking around for anyone else.
"Oh... and little man?" The sarcastic tone bit Wesley right between the shoulder blades and he hunched slightly. "Should I be expecting a visit from your mommy about my mean attitude or will you be handling this like a grown-up?"
With clenched fists, Wesley turned, "Despite what you might think, I'm not a child. You've made yourself perfectly clear. I won't bother you again."
Lore nodded once, his expression satisfied then he continued on down the corridor.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Lore slid out of the Jeffries tube and landed without a sound. He quickly dusted himself off and headed to the turbolift. Less than seven minutes, he mused. Well, not counting the delay caused by the annoying man-child. With any luck, his jabs at Wesley's burgeoning manhood would keep him quiet about their little encounter.
It was amazing how remarkably easy it was to circumvent the Enterprise's sub-systems. Really, the humans should be ashamed of themselves. He didn't even have the access codes that Data held and he was still able to accomplish what he needed to do without anyone the wiser.
If he had really wanted to take the ship, there was little doubt now that he would be able to do so, on his own. Their security measures just weren't designed to protect against an internal assault like he could mount. It was a valuable piece of information.
Lore whistled a cheery tune as he walked. Imagine what an army of androids like himself could do... and he could imagine. That was one of the greatest gifts that his emotions granted him. The ability to look at something and imagine what might be, what could be. All you needed was the will to make it happen.
The door to Data's quarters whooshed open and Lore came to a stop. "Brother. I thought you were on shift until 1700?"
"Technically, you are correct. I am still on duty."
"I see." Lore leaned back against the bulkhead. "I take it you told Picard about my little melt down?"
"I informed him, yes. That is why I wish to speak with you."
Patience now. "Oh? What about now?"
"I would like to suggest again that you allow a complete diagnostic."
Lore gritted his teeth. "Not this again. I have internal diagnostics that are more than capable of ascertaining if there are issues with my systems. There aren't."
"But what if there is an issue with the neural net itself?" Data offered. "It is possible that you are not interpreting the diagnostics correctly."
"Highly unlikely. Anything that could affect my neural net to that degree would present other symptoms. I would not function optimally."
Data gave him a little non-frown. "Then why do you refuse to allow the diagnostic?"
Lore smirked, "Simply, because I can."
"I do not understand you." Data canted his head, "This is a simple request. It would not take more than an hour of your time. Yet, you refuse... for no apparent reason."
Lore sighed. "I'm afraid you will never understand, Data. You can't. You don't feel." Lore held up his hand and looked at his cuticles with interest. "I am not malfunctioning and don't think I didn't notice that you were questioning my mental stability. Your engineers ran a full-systems check upon my activation and you know it. I am operating perfectly. Just because your precious captain doesn't like something that I've done, doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with me. I am being unfairly targeted."
"How so?" Data asked curiously. "If a member of the crew behaved in atypical fashion, he would be required to undergo a complete physical. That is fair."
"You have no basis to decide what is typical for me. This is how I function. Deal with it." Lore gave his brother a sideways glance, "Is anything I've done illegal?"
Data cocked his head. "If you accessed secure files as I suspect, you may be subject to penalty."
Lore shrugged, "Then prove it. Otherwise, you and your little human friends can back the hell off."
"Very well. I would ask something else of you, if I might?"
Lore snorted lightly and headed for the chair. "How could I refuse my own brother? What can I do for you, Data?"
"We will arrive at Omicron Theta in a few hours. This is very important to many people, Lore. The colonist's families are still searching for answers to what happened to their loved-ones. I am searching for answers about our father. I would ask that you do everything you can to help us with this endeavor."
Lore threw up his hands. "I'm here aren't I? I didn't have to come back. In fact, I would have preferred not to, but hey, if the great and powerful Oz wants answers, who am I to stand in his way?"
Data paused, "I do not understand the reference."
"Access twentieth century entertainment, cinema. The Wizard of Oz," Lore informed him.
Data eyes cut back and forth rapidly. "Ah. I see. Then may I tell the captain that we can count on your full cooperation?"
"You may tell the captain with the Brothers Soong working together he will find his answer!" Lore clapped his hands together.
Data nodded once. "Thank you, Lore. This pleases me. I will inform the captain. If you require anything, I will be on the bridge."
Lore waved as the automatic door whooshed open and closed. A slow grin played upon his lips. "Oh yes. He'll find his answer. Or maybe... his answer will find him."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The mood on the bridge was a solemn one. The barren, lifeless form of Omicron Theta dominated the large viewscreen. A planet that had once supported life of all kinds, lush farmlands and diverse animal life was now ashen and gray. Were the four hundred plus colonists as dead as the planet? It seemed to be the logical conclusion to draw. They were orbiting a tomb.
The mood in the conference room was equally solemn as the command staff discussed the existing information they had on the colony as well as what they collected from their earlier stop.
"There just isn't any way that this was a natural occurrence. I've checked and double checked the data. No atmospheric changes, no biological contaminates, no signs of any natural disasters," Geordi stated.
"And no signs of destruction as you might find had the colony been under attack. Buildings are intact, ships and other machinery are still in place," Riker added. "It's eerie."
Picard nodded, "I think we've covered everything that we can without direct investigation." He took a breath and looked over to Data. "There is one other thing that I would like to address before we go down to the surface. As you all are aware, I have some concerns about Lore and his behavior." Each member of the command crew looked around the table at each other. He wasn't the only one. "I've asked that he accompany the away-team and assist in any way he can. Given Counselor's Troi's account of Lore's emotional state, I want all of you to be cautious in dealing with him." He gestured to Data to continue.
"The captain has asked that I be partnered with Lore. I will attend him at all times while we are on the surface."
"Captain," Geordi looked up at Data and then away, "Do you believe that Lore had something to do with what happened on Omicron Theta?"
"I have no evidence that Lore was involved in anything happened. But I do have gut instinct and it's telling me that Lore isn't being honest about what he knows. We're talking about four hundred and eleven lives. If he's been lying then we need to discover the truth, for the families of the missing, for ourselves, and even for Lore's own sake." He looked over at Data, "For everyone's sake."
Picard stood and tugged his uniform shirt down. "Mister Riker, prepare the away-team to beam down to the surface."
NOTES:
In canon, The Measure of A Man ep came well after Data/Lore but I thought it very appropriate to this story. I think the writers were trying to show how progressive the Federation is, but to me, that ep was horrifying. Data had been with Starfleet at least fifteen years at that point and yet he was forced to "prove" that he had the right to be self-determined. WTF. The Federation had dealt with all kinds of varied life forms. Hell, they even tried to open communications with the Crystalline Entity rather than just destory it and that was after they knew it was responsible for millions of deaths. They seemed more than willing to give the benefit of the doubt to all kinds of life forms... but not to a mechanical one, not when he had something that someone else wanted. In the end, they came to the conclusion that, yeah, they didn't have the right to judge but it always bugged me that it went that far in the first place. Good drama though, as it still pisses me off after all these years lol.