Author's Note: Ahhh! Thank you so much for your support.
The Case has been one of the most difficult pieces I've ever written. It's so emotionally charged that there are times I have to step away.
The title of this is meant to signfy the difficult position that our team finds itself in. All of the "legal" moves they can make put them in peril in a physical and emotional sense.
This situation is going to test relationships and friendships. It won't be easy. But I promise you that there is a giant ball of fluff waiting to hit over that last hill.
So thank you for your patience! 3 Charlie
"I'm sorry," Tasha said softly.
Tasha closed her eyes. She shook her hands and rolled her shoulders to find her composure.
Tick tock. Tasha reminded herself.
Rushing to her bedroom, Tasha quickly changed into her uniform and stuffed her Parrises Squares bag with supplies.
She grabbed the medical supply kit from the wall and set it down next to Data.
Tasha clipped on her Andorian ice miner blades, the solid gold bracelet she'd purchased on holiday years earlier, and a pouch of tobacco Data kept for his pipe.
They were all items of value. Most importantly, they weren't anything that was Starfleet property or technology.
Next, Tasha used the replicator to snag as many additional basic medical supplies and ration bars that she could carry.
Antiseptics, pain relief gel, and water purification tablets would all be valuable items for trade.
And they would need them where they were going.
Tasha knew her Federation credits would be frozen as soon as they were discovered. More than that, the use of such currency would be traceable.
Tasha checked the time and threw on the various bags she had packed for the journey.
As much as she longed to leave a goodbye message for Captain Picard, Tasha knew that she couldn't.
No goodbyes. She told herself.
Tasha detached her pips and set them down on the table.
Tasha stepped over to Data and tapped the site-to-site transporter she had programmed into her combadge.
Data and Tasha emerged a moment later on a shuttle down in the shuttlebay three.
She quickly detached her combadge. Next, she removed Data's combadge and threw them out the door onto the floor of the shuttlebay.
Tasha closed the hatch and took up a seat at the helm. She turned on the radio, tuned it to the same frequency as the Security office channel, and waited.
Right on time, there was a message.
"Danvers, this is the Security office. We're detecting an open seal in the reserve storage locker on deck thirteen," Lieutenant Olivet said.
"We'll check it out," Danvers responded.
From her quarters, Tasha had used her Security access code to set a timed release on the locker door. There was nothing dangerous in that itself. The door to the room was simply sitting open.
But the locker contained restricted medication and Tasha knew that such a door sitting open would warrant an inspection – an inspection that would delay the Security team from checking the shuttlebay long enough for Tasha to enact her plan.
Tasha rushed out of the shuttle and used the delay as cover.
She was no engineer, but Tasha knew enough to be dangerous – at least enough to cover her tracks.
It was a trick she had learned during her time in covert operations.
Tasha slid off the access panel. She counted over until she located the correct isolinear chip. Tasha removed the chip and set it on the bottom, inside the panel. That would hide it until someone came looking.
Next she pulled out the wire connecting the door access to the Bridge sensors. Tasha then unhooked the backup recorder that kept a secondary log of activity.
Lastly, Tasha inserted an isolinear chip into the open space at the end. It would enact a complete wipe of the console's system in twenty minutes.
The choice wasn't an effort to cover her tracks. There would be no doubt she was responsible for such an action.
But the use of the programme was a signature that would make clear Captain Picard and the crew had nothing to do with their escape.
Tasha didn't want anyone else taking the fall for this.
She returned the panel to the console so nothing would be out of place.
Next, Tasha completed the final step of her plan.
She connected a small portable power cell to the side of the shuttlebay door. It had enough charge for a handful of uses.
After turning it on, Tasha returned to the shuttle and sealed the hatch.
"Yeah, there's nothing out of place here. The door's stuck. I think this is just a malfunction," Danvers reported. "I've attempted a manual reset but it didn't budge."
"Alright, sit tight. We're going to power down that subsection and try a system reboot," the Bridge answered.
A second later, the lights in the shuttlebay went dark.
Tasha activated the remote power source.
The shuttlebay doors opened and she carefully guided the craft out into the emptiness of space. From their position on the aft portion of the ship, their escape would be visible shielded from the viewscreen on the Bridge and the Starbase.
Once they were clear, Tasha resealed the shuttlebay doors.
She set a course for the Barolia system and opened a warp bubble.
At the Operations Centre on Starbase 173, the sensor console blinked.
"Sir, I'm detecting a warp signature mark 817.45 off our starboard pylon," a Lieutenant reported. "We have no scheduled departures and I'm not showing any outgoing vessels."
He looked up.
"Everyone that was here a minute ago is still docked," the Lieutenant said.
The Night Watch Commander tapped his console.
"Starbase 173 to Enterprise," she said.
"Enterprise, here," Lieutenant Hawk responded.
"Do you have any scheduled departures or arrivals on your ship?" the Night Watch Commander inquired.
On the Bridge of the Enterprise, Lieutenant Hawk turned around and looked to Ensign Greville at the Tactical station.
She shrugged.
"Nothing on sensors. I don't show any activity in the shuttlebays," she reported.
"It didn't come from here," Hawk informed Starbase 173.
Phillipa Louvois sat up in bed.
It took her a second to catch her breath, she wasn't used to be disturbed so suddenly.
And she hadn't remembered falling asleep.
As her eyes adjusted to the dark, she realised the sound that was loudly repeating through her quarters was coming from the computer in the main room and not her alarm.
She turned to the side and checked the time.
05:38.
"This better be good," she said aloud while reaching for her dressing gown.
Louvois stepped out into the main room. She turned on a lamp in the corner but kept the illumination in the room low. It was too early for full lighting.
She checked her hair in the mirror and then tapped the screen to answer the incoming hail.
"It's about time," Admiral Henry said. "I'm not a man accustomed to waiting."
"And I'm not accustomed to calls at this hour," Phillipa responded. "Had I known it was you, I'd have taken the time to paint my face."
Her smile was sweet, but her words were dripping with disdain.
"Why isn't the android in custody yet?" Henry demanded. "I'm told you're the one holding this up."
Louvois opened her mouth to answer, but the Admiral cut her off.
"I sent you a message nine hours ago!" Henry roared. "Your decision upholding Starfleet's orders was expected last night. What is the hold up?"
"I haven't made a ruling yet," Phillipa replied.
She wasn't about to let some pencil pushing Admiral bully her into a decision.
"Need I remind you what the android Lore is capable of?" Henry asked. "In a matter of hours, it nearly wiped out the Flagship!"
Admiral Walsh's team had done their duty to convince Henry of the threat that Lore posed. They'd pulled out all the stops selling Data and Lore as both the greatest threat and ultimate tool available.
"That android is out there right now doing god knows what," Henry went on. "And we have zero counter measures to stop him."
Part of the motivation for keeping Data in Maddox's custody was that it allowed Starfleet to send a bulletin advising any android spotted on a ship or starbase was not Data.
If they knew he was contained at Starbase 173, it removed Lore's ability to impersonate his brother.
"This is a matter of the utmost security," Henry argued.
"I recognise your concern. And when I reach my decision, you'll be the first to know," Louvois responded.
She didn't wait an for answer, she simply clicked off the screen and silenced the ringer.
Grabbing a cup of coffee from the replicator, Phillipa surmised it was probably a good thing she'd been awoken so early.
She only had a few hours left before her deadline and she was no closer to reaching a decision.
Sleep had eluded Jean-Luc.
By 07:00, he had already strolled around the length of the ship several times.
While stalking the abandoned corridors, Jean-Luc's mind had played and replayed the events of the last few days.
The message Louvois had received the night before left him worried for Data.
Jean-Luc hadn't seen the details.
He didn't need to know that it wasn't good news.
If Louvois was getting pressure from above, then it was likely she would rule in favour of Starfleet. That wasn't because she would simply go along with whatever the brass said.
Rather, Jean-Luc expected she would buy into whatever Security argument they were pushing.
It was hard to argue when people that operated in Security cried there was a threat. In his experience, they were keen to profess warnings of vague threats whenever they wanted more resources, or manpower, or authorisation.
Jean-Luc wasn't prepared to give up on Data's cause. But he had a sinking feeling they would need a new plan.
His feet instinctively carried him to Data's quarters.
It was early, but he didn't want to waste a moment. They were already pressed for time as they were due back at Louvois's office at noon.
There was no answer at Data's door.
Jean-Luc then checked Tasha's quarters.
After hitting the chime a second time, he frowned.
It wasn't like Data and Tasha to be asleep at this hour. Granted, it was early. But they were typically up well before 06:00.
He considered paging them when he thought better of it.
They might not want to be disturbed. Jean-Luc realised.
Instead, Jean-Luc decided to simply confirm their whereabouts. He could stop back later.
"Computer, what is the location of Commander Data and Lieutenant Yar?" Picard asked.
"Lieutenant Commander Data and Lieutenant Yar are in shuttlebay three," the computer responded.
Panic gripped Jean-Luc's heart.
"Data, Tasha, whatever you're planning – don't," Picard said as he tapped his combadge. "Please. It is not worth it."
There was no answer.
Jean-Luc immediately issued a yellow alert. He paged the Bridge and ordered them to lock down any attempt to leave the ship.
As he raced for the shuttlebay, Captain Picard hailed Commander Riker and Worf to alert the other senior officers and join him in the shuttlebay.
"Sir?" Worf asked as Picard came racing around the corner.
Worf had been the closest to the shuttlebay and had beaten the rest of the team there.
Picard slammed his fist on the button to open the access door.
As soon as he stepped inside, he realised one of the shuttles was missing.
"Captain?" Riker called out as he came rushing off the lift.
Jean-Luc walked forward and stopped as he spied two golden combadges on the ground. He bent over and picked them up.
"Oh my Gods," Geordi realised.
Beverly gasped and brought her hands up to her mouth in shock.
"Good for them," Miles said. "Serves Starfleet right if you ask me."
"They're gone," Deanna said as her shoulders slumped.
"Sir," Worf said.
He waved Captain Picard over to the console in the corner.
Worf had removed the access panel and immediately discerned Tasha's course of action. He now fully understood why she had wanted to ensure all of the other senior officers had solid alibis.
It was to protect them.
"Before you ask, I didn't know what she was planning. She just asked that I host a poker game and keep everyone together last night," Worf shared. "I don't know where she's going."
Not that he would have shared that information even if he had known.
Captain Picard knelt down and studied the device for a moment. He pulled out the isolinear chip that Tasha had left and pocketed it.
"I'll get on the sensors," Geordi offered.
"You won't find them," Worf replied.
He was confident of that.
"I'm not saying I want to," Geordi clarified. "But we should find them before Starfleet notices-"
"Mr Worf is right," Picard said, cutting him off.
He recognised the programme Tasha had used.
"There's going to be a portable power pack on the door. I'm sure she used a ruse for a temporary shutdown in the subsection," Picard went on. "They've been gone for hours."
Jean-Luc sighed and shook his head.
"We need to talk to them," Picard declared.
"Data and Tasha are smart enough to destroy the radio," Geordi said, shaking his head. "They know we could use it to track them."
Jean-Luc snapped his fingers.
"But they won't have destroyed the communications array," he said.
His eyes lit up.
"Wherever they're headed, they know they need to be able to communicate with other ships or starbases," Jean-Luc said.
"The frequency adaptor," Riker said.
Jean-Luc nodded.
Deanna glanced around at the group, wordlessly asking for an explanation.
"They've probably removed and reattuned the communications array to block our ability to trace the shuttle while still maintaining an emergency communication channel," Riker explained.
He met Jean-Luc's eyes.
"It's an old covert operations trick allowing them to receive orders without giving away their position," Riker said.
"We need to find them," Picard said. "Fast."
Data's eyes flew open.
At first he did not recognise the grey ceiling above.
It took him 0.047 seconds to identify it as the inside of a shuttlecraft.
Data sat up and scanned the stars outside of the viewscreen.
Data turned and glanced over at Tasha.
"Why?" he asked.
"I'm sorry," Tasha said.
She was kneeling on the ground next to him. Now that they were a few hours out, Tasha felt it was safe to activate Data again.
She didn't like leaving him deactivated – but she was worried he would have protested.
"This is a violation of eighteen different Starfleet regulations," Data commented as he stood up.
"Sixteen," Tasha said, correcting him.
Data cocked his head to the side.
"We're not stealing the shuttle. We're borrowing it," Tasha clarified.
Data frowned.
"Once we reach Delmar VII, I will programme the shuttle to return via autopilot to Starbase 61," Tasha shared.
There was a pregnant pause.
"Along with all Federation property. We aren't taking any technology or property that belongs to Starfleet," Tasha explained.
"Except me," Data said solemnly.
Data glanced out the viewscreen.
"Starfleet will be able to find us on Delmar VII," Data warned.
Tasha shook her head.
"We'll be long gone," she assured him. "We've got a six-hour head start and it will be at least another hour before they know we're gone."
Data was unconvinced.
"They will find us," Data said.
"I have enough to trade for passage on a transport freighter that runs between Delmar VII and a salvage base in the Forlat cluster," Tasha said. "Completely off the grid. Trust me, it's not on Starfleet's radar."
The Salvage yard drifting in the Forlat cluster was a place Tasha knew well from her days in covert operations. It was outside of Federation territory and haven for the fringes of society.
"Tasha, someone will talk," Data said. "They will come after us."
It was human nature. Data knew it would only be a matter of time before they were captured.
"That's why we're going to take a ship of our own and go where they can't follow," Tasha said.
"Our Federation credits will be inaccessible the minute they discover our disappearance," Data cautioned.
"I have contact there," Tasha said. "Trust me, we'll get a ship."
"How?" Data inquired.
Tasha ignored the question and moved to take up a seat at the helm.
"Tasha, how?" Data repeated.
"It's better if you don't ask," Tasha said.
She couldn't meet Data's eyes. Instead, she busied herself with studying the sensor readings.
Data sat down across from Tasha and waited.
They sat in silence for a few minutes until he reached over and turned her chair toward him.
"This is not the way," Data said.
Tasha didn't know what to say.
"We cannot do this," Data went on. "We must turn back."
Tasha's face contorted with pain.
"I believe that justice will prevail," Data said. "I am terrified. But I know that running away will not solve this."
He reached out and took hold of Tasha's hand.
"And it will not allow us to live free," Data said. "And I believe that this cause is worth fighting for. I am worth fighting for."
He gave her hand a squeeze.
"And you taught me to see that in myself," Data shared.
"You don't understand," Tasha insisted.
Data's face fell.
He sat back and Tasha could see he was hurt.
"Walsh is involved. Maddox said he had an ace in the hole," Tasha said wildly. "He was about to make his move. I had to get you out of there before-"
"Admiral Walsh?" Data asked.
He turned his head to the side, staring out the viewscreen as he tried to comprehend the connection.
"Yes," Tasha admitted.
She put her head in her hands and took a shaky breath.
"This is all my fault," she lamented.
Data suddenly sat up and turned back toward Tasha.
"Maddox told you this?" Data asked in disbelief.
He didn't quite understand. It wasn't like Maddox to reveal information that could be used against him unless he knew it could never be proven.
"Tasha?" Data pressed.
"He was following you around," Tasha said.
She glanced down at her lap and began to pick at her fingernails.
"I was trying to keep him away from you," Tasha confessed. "When I sent you the message that I was delayed, I was in the lounge talking with Maddox."
Data was unsettled by thought.
But more than that, he was shaken by the events that had transpired since.
He turned back to the console and began to punch in an alternate route.
"That information, while troubling, does not change my position. This is not the way," Data declared.
"Data?" Tasha asked.
She was outraged and shocked as Data set a course back to Starbase 173.
"Data, you don't understand," Tasha urged. "He's going-"
"I am not running away from this," Data insisted.
Tasha hit the emergency stop on the engines and the shuttle began to lose velocity.
Data was taken aback.
He felt like she wasn't listening to him – and the fact that it was Tasha of all people added insult to injury.
"You want to see the best in people. You want to hold onto hope," Tasha said. "But there is no good left in these people."
She grabbed his shoulder and gave a warm squeeze.
"The world is a cruel place and that includes Starfleet," Tasha said.
Tasha had seen far too much over the years to discount Starfleet. Her once idolised view of the institution was now fractured.
While she still believed that it was a positive force and one she was glad to be a part of, Tasha recognised there were shadowy aspects to the organisation.
"You're too pure for this world," Tasha remarked. "Please, don't go back there."
Data kept his vision forward facing out the viewscreen.
"It is my observation that you are allowing your inherent cynicism to influence your perspective on this situation," Data said without looking at her.
Tasha blinked a few times, trying to wrap her head around the fact Data wasn't comprehending the danger of returning.
"Data, trust me," Tasha pleaded. "I don't think you understand-"
Tasha stopped immediately when Data turned toward her.
"You made a decision for me, not with me," Data said.
The hurt and betrayal in his voice made Tasha's heart ache.
"Data, Maddox said-" Tasha started to say.
"You could have come me. We could have discussed this and decided on a course of action together," Data went on.
Data was doing his best to keep his voice even, but it was cold.
He was struggling to articulate just how painful that betrayal was. It cut Data straight to his core.
Tasha had always been his cheerleader, the person that pushed him to assert himself. Data was accustomed to being dehumanised.
Microaggressions were a daily occurrence.
Being dismissed was a fact of life.
Tasha's decision hurt more because it was her.
"You deactivated me," Data said in a voice so soft it was barely a whisper.
"I-I'm sorry," Tasha apologised.
She tried to move in close to hold Data, but he recoiled.
"Please do not," Data requested.
He had no desire for physical reassurance. He was too wounded.
"Data, for what it's worth-" Tasha began to say.
"Please do not attempt to rationalise this. I recognise it was your intention to protect me," Data went on. "While noble, when we discussed wanting to make decisions for each other, I was referring to instances when one of us is incapacitated."
Tasha bit her lip to stop it from shaking.
"Not when one of incapacitates the other," Data added.
Without another word, Data restarted the engines and resumed their course back to Starbase 173. At maximum speed, it would take them around four and half hours to return – and it would be a long ride.
They were an hour and half into a silent ride when Captain Picard's voice came across the emergency channel.
"Tasha," Picard began. "I know you think you're doing what's best. But this is not the way to handle this."
Data tried to activate the communication array to respond and found it deactivated.
He turned and gave Tasha a sharp look.
"Please, I implore you to come back," Picard said.
His voice softened.
"I think Louvois is going to find in favour of Data's cause," Picard shared. "I believe she was moved by his interview. Seems like meeting him was the push she needed to see reason."
Data's emotional state could best be described as anger.
If Captain Picard was right, Tasha's stunt may have cost Data all the good will they had gained with Louvois.
"We need to be in her office at noon," Picard said. "She will announce her decision then."
He paused.
"If you can hear this, please come home," Picard said.
Data rose from his seat and made for the back of the shuttle where he could access the controls.
Tasha was tempted to readjust their course.
She eyed the console while weighing her options.
In a huff of frustration, Tasha crossed her arms, sat back, and closed her eyes.
Data would never forgive.
They may have been flying back to a dangerous situation – but that was Data's decision and Tasha had no right to make it for him.
It didn't take long for Data to fix the communications array.
"I appreciate that you did not take advantage of that situation to lock me in the back and reroute our vessel," Data said as he slipped into his seat.
Tasha reached across to take hold of his hand.
"However, I still do not wish to be touched," Data added, pulling his hand away.
Tasha nodded and folded her hands in her lap.
"I'm sorry," she repeated.
"I know," Data said.
It wasn't snarky. He understood that she genuinely felt remorse for her actions. But Data still needed time to process.
His fingers danced across the console as he queued up the communications controls and opened a new channel.
"Captain, the shuttle just appeared on long-range sensor tracking," Wesley announced.
"They're hailing us," Worf said. "Audio only."
"Patch it through," Picard ordered.
"Captain, this is Data," Data said. "We are returning to Enterprise."
It was 07:28 and they were due in Louvois's office by noon.
"What is your ETA?" Picard asked.
"At maximum warp, we will reach our destination at 11:34 hours," Data replied.
"Not a minute late," Picard warned.
Tasha and Data sat across from one another in Captain Picard's Ready Room.
In the four and half hours it had taken them to return, they had said very little to one another.
They were due to report to Louvois's office shortly.
Captain Picard had demanded to speak with both of them first – and he had left them alone for a few moments to notify Louvois they would be fifteen minutes late.
She wasn't pleased with the delay, though with Geordi's help, Jean-Luc had managed to facilitate a plausible excuse about a maintenance cycle disrupting transporter functions.
It gave Data and Tasha a few moments alone.
"Data-" Tasha tried.
"I love you," Data assured her. "But I need time to process this."
He was too wounded to simply accept Tasha's actions without working through the feelings of betrayal they had evoked.
"Data, if we don't have that time," Tasha paused and took a shaky breath. "I just, I want you to know how sorry I am. I was wrong. I was so wrong-"
"I am confident that Louvois will rule in my favour," Data said, cutting her off. "And we will discuss the matter during our next counselling session."
Tasha fell silent as Captain Picard swept back into the room.
He moved behind his desk but did not sit down.
"We don't have the time for me to begin to properly reprimand you for what you have done," Picard said.
His voice was steady.
But knowing him as well as Data and Tasha did, they knew Captain Picard was furious.
"Data had nothing to do with it. Sir, this was all-" Tasha began to say.
She had been the one that had fled the Enterprise. Data had nothing to do with it.
"My fault," Data said, cutting her off. "I requested Lieutenant Yar assist me in my plan to escape. I then became concerned she would face repercussions and demanded she accompany me."
Tasha was aghast.
"I take full responsibility for my actions and will accept whatever punishment you see fit upon our return," Data said. "Please, this was my error, sir."
Given their circumstances, this was the only way Data felt he could reassure Tasha that he still loved her.
The foundation of their relationship had been shaken. Data would need time. But he wasn't ready to throw in the towel.
"Well, Mr Data. That is a touching admission of guilt," Picard said. "If it were true."
Jean-Luc tossed the isolinear chip he had recovered earlier and the power pack onto the service of the desk.
He locked eyes with Tasha. She realised he knew exactly how she had escaped – and that had been her plan all along.
She didn't want anyone else taking the fall for her actions.
"I would think you know better," he said to Tasha.
He turned to Data.
"And that you would at least have the courtesy to sell me a believable lie," Jean-Luc said.
He sighed.
"Now, we need to get over Starbase 173 and act like none of this happened," Picard said.
"Sir, the shuttle was-" Tasha began to protest.
"What shuttle?" Picard asked.
Data and Tasha got the message loud and clear.
"Now, I am confident that Captain Louvois's ruling will find in Data's favour," Jean-Luc said.
Tasha frowned.
"I know you don't trust her. And you have good reason," Picard acknowledged. "But we spoke last night, and I just have a feeling that she will find for Data."
Jean-Luc's face darkened.
"But we need to have a plan in case the ruling goes the other direction," Picard said. "Data, if there is anything you can tell me about Maddox that might change the outcome of this – now is the time."
Tasha glanced over at Data as she wordlessly pleaded for him to open up about his experience with Maddox.
"Data?" she said softly.
Data paused.
A part of him desperately wanted to open up to Captain Picard. After all, the Captain was a friend. Data could trust him.
Yet based on his past experience, Data knew that such evidence would not be enough to sway others.
Captain Picard was already convinced that Data was sentient and that he could feel.
The Starfleet panel over twenty years earlier did not believe Data could feel pain or fear. They were staunch in their belief that Data could not be hurt.
Maddox had convinced them of that.
Data was also concerned that sharing such information would change Captain Picard's opinion of him. Data had worked so hard for so long to convince others that he was a competent officer.
He had to constantly assert himself.
The last thing he wanted was for Captain Picard to also start making decisions on behalf, questioning Data's judgement, or seeing Data as anything less.
Data knew from his counselling sessions that this was a normal experience for victims.
But everyone aboard the Enterprise saw Data as an extremely powerful android. Data was worried that no one would believe him – he was too smart, too strong to be a victim.
"Data?" Jean-Luc pressed.
Data opened his mouth and froze.
He looked from Captain Picard, to Tasha, back to Picard again.
"I am confident that the outcome of this decision will be in my favour," Data said, feigning optimism.
"I have completed my research, based on the Acts of Cumberland passed in the early Twenty-First Century," Louvois announced.
Data, Captain Picard, Commander Riker, Tasha, Geordi, Admiral Nakamura, and Commander Maddox were assembled in Louvois's office for her official ruling on the matter.
There was also another man present. He was a Commander and wore a red uniform. It was the same man Tasha had recognised but couldn't place – the one that had been speaking with Maddox.
"While there can be no doubt that Commander Data has an admirable service record and is much beloved by the crew of the Enterprise, that does not equate sentience," Louvois said. "Furthermore, I can find no evidence indicating that this procedure will in any way harm Commander Data."
Data's mind began to dissociate from his body.
The artificial breathing programme that helped maintain his internal cooling ceased. Captain Louvois was speaking. Data could hear the words, but he couldn't bring himself to actively analyse them.
He had to shut down all emotional connection with himself or he was afraid he would collapse – both physically and mentally.
His brain was threatening to spiral.
"Therefore, it is the ruling of this office that Data is the property of Starfleet. Data cannot resign and Data cannot refuse to cooperate with Commander Maddox," Louvois declared.
Geordi was in disbelief. Captain Picard felt enraged.
For Tasha, this was cruel confirmation of what she had predicted.
Maddox didn't even have the decency to hide his glee.
"No, no," Picard said, shaking his head.
He turned to Data to give him space to voice his request for an appeal.
But Data's eyes were glazed over. He was so frozen by fear that he couldn't formulate words. He went into a self-preservation act of being quiet, retreating inside his own mind.
"I have a Security team waiting outside to escort Data to the lab," Nakamura said.
"No," Picard said, stepping forward. "I'm challenging this decision. I demand an appeal."
Maddox made a face. He was smiling, but it was evident he was irked by Jean-Luc's request.
"Don't you get it? This is over? What more do I need to possibly go through to prove that Data is mine?" Maddox hissed.
He felt as if the request itself had injured him.
"How long must I wait?" Maddox raged.
Louvois put up a hand to silence Maddox.
"If you request an appeal the next stage would be a formal hearing," Louvois said.
"Then give me the paperwork," Picard said with determination.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," the mystery man said.
"Who are you?" Riker asked.
"I'm Commander Haffley," he said, introducing himself. "I'm here on behalf of Admiral Henry to ensure that the interests of Starfleet Security are properly represented."
He offered his hand to Commander Riker.
Riker glanced down at the extended hand then back up, refusing to shake it.
"Well then," Haffley said.
He pulled his hand back.
"As I was saying, an appeal is not possible. Not with the timeframe we're operating on," Haffley said.
His lack of empathy was obvious.
"Timeframe?" Geordi asked.
This was the first any of them had heard of a timeframe.
"Starfleet has placed a deadline on this decision," Louvois explained.
"Given the nature of this security matter, we feel it is imperative that Commander Maddox begin immediately," Haffley said.
"The nature of what? Lore has been out there for months. Have you received some kind of new information? Has there been a sighting or incident?" Tasha questioned.
She needed answers and wasn't about to let them get off that easy.
"Precisely. Months and months," Haffley said. "The sooner we secure Data, the sooner we can notify all Starfleet vessels and institutions that any android sighted is Lore."
"My research is a critical phase," Maddox said.
Geordi was ready to hit the hull.
"How? What is the next step? Specifically, why is Data required?" Geordi asked.
Maddox smiled.
"I'm sorry, that would be classified," Maddox responded.
Captain Picard was visibly ruffled by this statement.
"The hearing. I demand a hearing," Picard insisted.
Commander Haffley stepped forward.
"While Starfleet appreciates this exercise of the justice system, I'm afraid our timetable is unmovable," Haffley said, dismissing the concern.
Jean-Luc wasn't going to accept that answer.
"Justice doesn't stop just because Starfleet Security claims a self-imposed deadline," Picard said.
"You'd be surprised," Haffley replied.
"Starfleet Security is not above the law," Louvois said, stepping in.
The team from the Enterprise breathed a sigh of relief. Louvois stepping in seemed to ease the tension – but only a wee bit.
"Finally, a voice of reason," Picard said, harder than intended.
Phillipa Louvois looked at him. Her eyes were full of pity.
"Jean-Luc, I wish I could," Phillipa said. "The next step would be an appeal hearing."
She glanced around the room and shrugged.
"I don't have a staff," Phillipa said. "And I won't for another month."
To Jean-Luc, this was irrelevant.
"Then we'll transfer this matter to a starbase equipped to handle the hearing," Picard said.
"Your ship is already overdue for your next assignment. Starfleet can't afford to delay the Flagship indefinitely for this matter," Haffley scoffed.
"I would be happy to arrange transport for Commander Data to another facility," Nakamura offered.
He was trying to find a compromise.
But the team knew that leaving Data alone was a risk – too great a risk.
Picard turned to Louvois.
"Convene your hearing, Captain," Picard said.
"That would be exceedingly difficult. This is a new addition to the base. I have no staff-" Phillipa began to protest.
"There are regulations to take care of such an eventuality," Tasha chimed in. "Emergency protocols that would allow you to appoint serving officers as legal counsel."
"This is ridiculous," Maddox sneered. "I'm not participating in this kangaroo court."
The corner of Louvois's mouth curved upward.
"No, Lieutenant Yar is right," Louvois said. "Starfleet regulation does have an emergency protocol. I can appoint qualified individuals to serve as officers of the court."
Haffley was appalled. Maddox's face was a dark shade of red and the vein in his temple was visibly throbbing.
"Picard, you as the senior officer would defend," Louvois said. "If Mr Data agrees."
Upon hearing his name, Data looked up.
"Data?" Jean-Luc asked.
Data didn't fully comprehend what was happening. He had been so absorbed with his own thoughts, he was lost when it came to the conversation happening around him.
Geordi could see Data was struggling.
"Data, are you comfortable with Captain Picard serving as your legal counsel?" Geordi asked.
"Yes," Data agreed.
Bruce Maddox could feel his plan crumbling before his eyes.
"You can't seriously allow this to proceed," Maddox remarked.
Phillipa ignored him.
"And the unenviable task of prosecuting this case will have to fall to you, Commander Riker," Louvois said.
"Excuse me. While I'm sure you are all fine officers, Starfleet is not about to place the fate of this matter in the hands of unqualified amateurs," Haffley argued.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I will contact Admiral Henry's office straight away," Haffley announced. "We'll have a team of qualified JAG officers here from Starbase Yorktown in eight days."
"I thought there wasn't time to wait?" Tasha asked. "Or has your deadline changed?"
It was a fair question and one that pointed out the futility of Starfleet's deadline.
"I'll not have Commander Riker serving as Starfleet's representation!" Haffley roared.
"You won't have to," Riker declared. "I can't. I won't."
He ran his hand back through his hair and took a breath.
"Data is my comrade. I not only respect him, I consider him my friend," Riker said.
Phillipa's expression softened.
"I recognise this is a difficult task," she said. "But Commander, the emergency protocols require the next most senior officer of the defendant's ship serve as prosecutor."
"This is not going to fly," Haffley said. "He doesn't even have any legal training."
But Louvois had a plan.
She always had a plan.
"Which is why I am appointing Lieutenant Yar as co-counsel for the prosecution," Louvois announced.
Tasha blinked slowly a few times as she tried to comprehend this was, in fact, really happening and not a nightmare.
"Lieutenant Yar was formerly in the JAG programme. She has some training and I believe is qualified in this unique circumstance," Louvois said.
Tasha shook her head.
Instinctively, she took a step back.
"I-I can't," she stammered.
She shared a worried look with Data.
"I will gladly help Captain Picard," Tasha went on. "But there is no way I'm going to participate in anything that attempts to strip Data of his rights."
She turned her attention back to Louvois.
"You just want me to prove Data is a machine. But I can't. Because he isn't," Tasha said. "I know better."
"I'm out too," Riker chimed in. "I'm neither qualified nor willing. You're going to have to find someone else."
Maddox smirked.
Their refusal to participate in the process played right into his hand.
"Well then," Maddox said.
He clasped his hands together maniacally.
"By all means, file your little appeal," Maddox said.
He sounded satisfied by this development.
"In the meantime, we will take custody of our property," Maddox said. "I'm sure it will take Starfleet weeks, maybe months to sort this all out."
Data squeezed his eyes shut.
It was over.
It was all over.
"Until then, we'll keep Data safe and sound here at Starbase 173," Maddox said.
"Unacceptable," Picard barked.
Phillipa crossed her arms and waited for the room to fall silent.
"The deadline has been set. And according to Federation law, Data will need to remain in custody of Starfleet," Louvois said.
"Until the appeal process begins," Tasha added softly.
Louvois nodded.
"Captain, I-" Tasha trailed off.
She felt it was only fair to disclose her personal relationship with Data. It was just too strong of a factor not to influence her performance.
"I recognise this is difficult. You all clearly share a close bond of camaraderie," Louvois said. "But when good people have a disagreement, sometimes we must resort to this adversarial system."
Data's mind had shifted into full survival mode now.
He was listening intently to Louvois now, sizing up the options available.
If they didn't proceed with this hearing, Data knew it would only be a matter of time before Maddox disassembled him – hours, maybe a few days at most.
It would be hard, but Data understood that it was a necessity. Without the hearing, Maddox would be free to torment him as soon as he stepped foot out of Louvois's office.
"If you aren't willing, then my summary judgement stands. Data is a toaster. Have him report to Commander Maddox immediately for the experimental procedure," Louvois said.
She didn't feel good about that decision, but it was the correct letter of the law based on Starfleet's assessment.
Tasha's gaze travelled from the sharp look of Captain Picard to Data's pleading eyes.
"I'll do it," Tasha said. "I'll do it."
Riker frowned.
He didn't quite fully understand what was happening – but he trusted the team enough to go along with it.
"I see," Riker chimed in. "I have no choice but to agree."
"Good. Commander Riker, Lieutenant Yar, you'll work closely with Commander Maddox and Commander Haffley," Louvois said.
Tasha visibly grimaced.
Maddox wasn't pleased with the delay. Though he couldn't deny that it would be a thrill to watch Data sweat in that courtroom.
And the fact his friends would be the ones responsible for putting him away – well, that made it all the sweeter.
"And I want to be clear that I expect you to do your duty in that courtroom," Louvois warned. "I know you live and work around one another, but you are expected to follow contact procedure."
This was a standard practice for Starfleet hearings. The two opposing sides could not contact one another without counsel and a neutral third-party present. Such meetings had to be pre-arranged.
Electronic communication could only be exchanged through counsel and was reviewed by the court every step of the way.
This meant Tasha and Data could so much as get coffee without violating the rules.
Maddox saw his opportunity to sneak in.
"I don't trust them," Maddox said.
"To ensure there is not even a hint of impropriety, I'll be assigning Security staff from the base to keep tabs on your whereabouts," Louvois ordered.
"I'll get a team together," Nakamura agreed.
"And if I find for one minute, that you are not doing your best, I will end this here and there," Louvois warned.
Data and Tasha exchanged a knowing look.
As Data had the ability to perceive every microsecond of time, the moment felt as if it was simultaneously forever and yet all too short.
Jean-Luc's heart went out the pair.
The announcement of Louvois's ruling had not gone as expected. And Captain Picard knew that Data and Tasha's last few moments together in private had been anything but pleasant.
"You don't have to remind us of our duty," Picard assured Louvois. "Just remember your's."
"I have never forgotten it," Louvois snapped. "Not then, and certainly not now."
As they left Louvois's office, it was evident to Jean-Luc that Phillipa was rattled. He suspected she was bothered by the decision.
This made him all the more wary of the pressure she was likely under from above.
Phillipa's behaviour confirmed all of Picard's fears about the strings being pulled behind the scenes.
Her eagerness to stick it to Haffley with this emergency protocol hearing was right up Louvois's alley. Like Jean-Luc, she knew how to walk the line between compliance and defiance.
In accordance with procedure, the two groups couldn't interact with one another.
Data and Geordi had gone ahead with two escorts from Starbase 173.
As they passed by one another, Data tried to wordlessly communicate to Tasha just how sorry he was for their earlier row.
She had been right. The world was a cruel place.
Data felt like his own hubris had blinded him to the possibility of failure.
"Data, are you okay?" Geordi asked.
"I was wrong," Data said in disbelief. "Tasha warned me. I was too confident. This outcome was my failing."
"No, Data," Geordi said. "You always see the best in people. When the ship's in trouble, and the shields are down. When all hell's broken loose, you're always the one clinging to hope."
Clinging to hope and finding a solution.
"That's not a failure, Data," Geordi assured him. "That is what makes you great."
Tasha, Commander Riker, and Captain Picard were escorted back next. They walked in silence.
Tasha and Commander Riker would have to meet with Maddox and Haffley in the morning to review Starfleet's prosecution strategy.
It was a task they dreaded.
"We'll set up a meeting tomorrow. May we meet at Louvois's office tomorrow evening? 18:00?" Picard suggested.
"Fine," Riker agreed.
"I warned you about her," Tasha said in a low voice. "Twice."
Jean-Luc didn't respond. He knew that an apology at this time would only anger Tasha further.
As soon as the crew from the Enterprise was gone, Louvois found herself alone with Haffley and Maddox.
"This is a joke," Maddox scoffed.
"And a waste of valuable time," Haffley added. "You can be sure Admiral Henry will hear about this."
Phillipa simply chuckled and sat down behind her desk.
"I don't think there's anything particularly funny about the law," Phillipa said. "Though I do find the desire to rush process is often done to cover up something that smells funny."
Maddox looked as if he'd been slapped.
He didn't like anyone questioning his motives – especially when their accusations hit too close to home.
"Oh, and Mr Maddox?" Louvois said, catching him on his way out.
Maddox stopped just shy of the door.
"Contact protocols apply to you as well. That means if I find out about any more spontaneous trips into Mr Data's personal quarters on the Enterprise, I will restrict you to your own quarters here on base," Louvois said. "Is that clear?"