(Note: This story takes place as if the original Datalore didn't happen until around the middle of season three. Lore's involvement aside, everything up to this point is in line with canon. As such, at this point, Data has already been granted legal status as a sentient being by federation law.)

Captain's log Stardate 43707.6. Given the delay of our rendezvous with the star ship Copernicus by two days and our proximity to the planet Omicron Theta, I have decided to pay a visit to the planet. It is the home of our Mr. Data, and the mystery surrounding his discovery piques my curiosity. Mr. Data has also expressed some interest in visiting the planet's surface. It is unlikely we will find anything that has not been uncovered already, but I believe it would be a waste of an opportunity to leave this proverbial stone unturned.

Captain Picard looked at the view screen, taking in the details of the barren planet. "It's hard to believe this was once a lush and lively planet." He mused.

"The phenomenon of all life of all kinds, even bacteria, being eradicated on a planetary scale is quite strange." Data responded from his side. "There are no other records in star fleet data banks that indicate any similar phenomenon."

"Mr. Data, I don't think 'strange' quite captures the scale of it." Commander Riker added.

"I feel inclined to agree, Commander." The android responded. He seemed almost mesmerized by the image of the planet.

"Assemble an away team, Number One." Picard ordered, casting the Lieutenant commander a good natured smile. "I don't see any reason to delay any further."

"Mr. Data, Mr. Worf, with me."

"Any memory of this place, Data?" Riker asked, looking around the room at the equipment. The colony lab, though covered with a thick layer of dust, was clearly very well equipped and many of the stations with equipment were still functioning.

"Only a vague impression of some of my functions being tested here," Data responded, looked around the room, a sense of interest on his face. While it wasn't much, it was quite significant for the android, and it seemed to have a positive effect on the entire away team.

"This is pretty well equipped," Geordi said, looking at one of the computers. He ran a tricorder over one of the stations. "It certainly is advanced enough to create an android like you, Data."

Data stepped toward one wall. "There appears to be a storage compartment here," He said, pressing a button on the wall.

A large door opened, revealing a small empty space.

Data looked at the space, frowning slightly. "There appears to have been something stored here. However, it is no longer here."

"Data, these compartments look like they could fit your components," Geordi commented. "Maybe you were stored here."

Data frowned slightly. "Perhaps, Geordi. That is a reasonable assumption."

"Data, do you have any memory of this?" Worf motioned to a large cylindrical device.

A peculiar look came over Data's face. "I... I do not know for certain, but I believe it was a key component in my creation." He stepped toward the large cylindrical object. It stood vertically, approximately two meters tall. "This appears to be a storage compartment of some kind, sir," He said, pressing a button on the wall next to it.

The object opened, and the landing party stepped back, all of them shocked.

Data stared at the figure in front of him. "It... it is another me..." He said. "Or perhaps... my brother."

The Android standing in the box was motionless. His arms rested by his sides, and his lifeless eyes stared at nothing. He wore a simple jumpsuit.

"He needs reactivation," Data said, moving forward with a hand outstretched.

Riker stopped him, grasping his shoulder. "Wait, Data. We don't even know if it's operational yet. Let's bring it up to the ship first and have our engineers look it over."

Data briefly considered this before nodding. "Yes, sir."

"From what I can tell, it's constructed almost exactly like Data, with only a few differences in its positronic net," Geordi said, looking over the dormant android lying on the table. "But I still don't understand very much."

Picard nodded. "Do you believe it could be reactivated?"

"Yes, Captain. I can't see any major damage of any sort, or any defects that need to be corrected, only minor adjustments needed. It should be good to go."

Data stepped forward from where he had been standing, near the other Android. "Captain, I do not believe he has quite the same capabilities as myself."

Picard's frown deepened. "What do you mean, Data?"

"I believe his positronic matrix is of an earlier design. He may not have the same processing power as I do. Also, it appears some of his memory engrams are damaged, something we missed the first time we checked. However, He should function adequately until we are able to repair them."

Picard contemplated this. "While I understand the urgent need to understand what happened, do you believe it's wise to reactivate it if it can't function as well as you?"

"I believe with the proper training and guidance, he will be able to learn to function as I do."

"Well then, I suppose that settles it. Do you know how to activate it, Mr. Data?"

"Yes sir." Data paused. " Captain, I have noticed you refer to my brother as an 'it', which implies that he is an object, and also implies that I fall under that same category."

Picard looked surprised. "Data, I offer my deepest apologies. I had no intention of implying anything of the sort. It's... an unusual situation, and I know we all feel somewhat awkward about it all. I'll make a point of avoiding that way of reference in the future."

"Thank you, sir." Data walked over to the android on the bed. "I am ready to activate him, captain."

Picard nodded, and watched as Data carefully slipped a hand under his counterpart's back. There was a slight clicking sound.

"It may take several minutes for his systems to activate." Data stepped back, watching intently.

At first, the other Android didn't move. Then his eyes blinked. "F...Father?" He asked. His voice was slightly more metallic than Data's as it adjusted.

Data stepped forward. "Your father is not here."

The Android looked up at Data with a slight frown. "I… do not understand."

"What is your name?" Picard said, stepping forward, next to Data.

"I... I am B4."

"Do you know where you come from?" The Captain asked.

"No."

"Do you know who created you?" Data asked.

B4 frowned slightly. "Father created me."

"Do you know your father's name?"

B4's frown deepened slightly. "Father is... Doctor Soong."

Picard raised an eyebrow. "Well, that proves it." He said, a slight smile on his face.

"Do you know who I am?" Data asked B4

"You... are me." B4 smiled blankly up at him.

Data shook his head. "No, B4. I am called Data. I am your brother."

"Brother?" B4 asked, his brow furrowing slightly. "What is 'brother'?"

Picard glanced over at Geordi. "His mental functioning seems significantly less advanced than Data's. Could the differences in his positronic matrix account for this?" He asked, quietly.

"I don't know, Captain. We know so little about Soong-type androids. But Data said he had similar problems when first activated. It could be that it will clear up on its own as he learns and grows."

"Brother is a familiar bond between two or more individuals, traditionally tied to biological relations, or close comradery. You and I are brothers." Data motioned between the two of them.

B4 frowned. "I... do not understand."

"I will teach you." Data reassured the other android. "As you learn, you will understand more."

"B4, do you know where you are?" Picard asked.

B4 stared. "I... am in a room, with bright lights and people."

"You are on the Federation Star Ship Enterprise. Do you remember anything before now?"

"I... do not. Where is father?" B4 looked confused.

"Father?" Picard asked Data.

"I believe he is referring to our creator. He must have been activated before the colony was destroyed."

B4 sat up, his movements somewhat wobbly. He locked eyes with Captain Picard. "Why is your head shiny?" he asked, curiously.

Geordi let out a string of suspicious coughing, turning away quickly.

Picard frowned, glancing at the engineer. "Data, perhaps you should take him to engineering to test his capabilities. Then bring him to your quarters and help him to get oriented. We can ask more questions later. Let me know how things progress."

"Yes, sir." Data turned to B4. "Come with me."

B4 stood, his movements slightly jerky. "Where... are we going?" He asked.

"To engineering. We will test your abilities there. Then we will go to my quarters. It is where I live."

"Okay." B4 followed Data from the room.

Picard turned to Geordi. "While I am happy for Mr. Data, I find myself somewhat concerned about what this could mean, especially if B4 requires more… care than data can render."

"I wouldn't worry, Captain. Data told me he had problems with even simple things when he was first activated. It will likely take time."

Picard didn't look entirely convinced. "Perhaps you're right. Let's hope so."

Geordi sighed, shaking his head. "That finishes the last test." He said, taking the Pad from the oblivious android. "And just like all the others, he showed no understanding of any of it."

Data frowned, looking at B4 sitting with a blank look on his face. "Yes. I must admit it is troubling."

"Data, he doesn't even understand basic mathematics or science. He wouldn't know what 2 plus 2 is."

"I am aware of that, Geordi. Even when I was first activated, I understood basic mathematics. Perhaps because he is an earlier design it will take more time and effort to teach him."

Geordi shook his head. "Maybe. I don't know."

Data looked at Geordi, his expression turning neutral. "I will design a course to teach him how to function as I do. Perhaps with the proper teaching he will be able to learn more quickly."

Geordi smiled slightly. "I hope so, for your sake. And you can count on me to do everything I can to help the two of you. I know how much this must mean to you."

"Thank you, Geordi." Data turned back to B4, who continued to sit, staring off into space with a slight smile on his face. He disconnected the wires from the memory port, and then stood in front of B4.

"We will go to my quarters now, B4." He told him.

B4 looked up at him. "Okay."

The room is large. It is not very full. It is quiet. There are colorful things on the walls, and bright lights on the ceiling. There is a table and there are chairs.

"This is where I live." His brother says. He does not smile. "You can live here with me until you get adjusted to life on the Enterprise. I would like to teach you some things ẗ̷̖͊͜h̶̜̩̳̿̔ṙ̵̛͓͎̼̆o̶̱͍̱͌̀̅u̵̺͕̱̓̄g̸̘̩̈́̌̊h̶̲̝̫͂-..."

B4 is not listening any more. He hears a strange sound. He turns but does not see anyone. He looks down and sees a small furry creature.

"What is this?"

"That is Spot." His brother says. He does not smile. He does not shout. His voice is soft. Softer even than Father's.

"What is a Spot?"

"It is not 'a spot', it is simply 'Spot'. Spot is a cat. A cat is a small carnivore from the planet Earth. She is my pet."

"What is a pet?"

"It is a companion." His brother does not smile.

"Why do you not smile?" B4 asks, his face turning to a slight frown.

"I am not p̶̢͇͕̹̣̜͝ȑ̵͖̭̇̆͝ǒ̶̧̘͍͎̭̤̙̕g̶͔͋́r̷̘̹̟̙͂̐͘à̴̩ṁ̸͇̪̏̿̍͜m̸͍͖͖̿͊͊̿͊ͅͅe̸̢̺̤̠̻̒ď̸̡̳̀͘ to feel ȩ̵̟͇̇̌͘ḿ̶͓̯̼̤̲̆o̶̧͕̼͔̾́͆͘t̸̢̩͈̿̉̃͘i̸̜̟͛̿̾͋̓̑o̴̡͙̺͐̈̇̒̓̇̂ͅṋ̶̖͓̜̣̓̅͛̔̀̊̃." His brother says. "I can, however, emulate it."

B4 frowns. "I do not understand." His brother does not smile. He does not frown. He does not hurt or shout.

This is not the one who smiles.

"Where is the other me?" he asks.

"There is no other you. I am Data, and you are B4."

"No…"

L̸̹͉͇̦̣̇̈̑̓̈͊-̶̞̲̂͛̚̚.̶͋̆̈͐̾͗͊ͅ.̴̨̢̯̪̪̻̈́̆̒̌̾͝.̵̬̬͓̠͋̏̅̂̈̀̚Ĺ̴͎̰͓̎͘.̵̮̃̌̎̌̌̈́͂.̸̪̺͎͖̫̙̓͝.̷̳̻̗͕̱͕̅̚͜L̷̢͕͈̊́̐̋͂̈õ̷̢̙͇̜͊͠r̷͈̦̣̹̅͂̈́̇̏͜é̴͇̬̞̻̮͑̊̓̓͜

"Where... is the one who smiles?"

His brother frowns. "What do you mean?"

"Where... is the me who smiles?" B4 mirrors his brother's frown. He does not understand, but he must ask.

"What is the one who smiles like?" his brother asks, his eyes narrowing. "Do you know his name?"

L̷̨̯̰̦̈̒̈́-̶̬̳̦̉.̴̢̩̠̯̙͌̄̈̑̌̅͝.̴̧̱̪͇̄̈́̌̎͘͠.̵͚̼̗̭̩̯̻͋̃L̴̪̭̠̜̠̟̼̾̃̋̈́̕͘.̵̧̱͍̝͇͎͎̊̇.̵̜̞̊̑͋͐̉͑̅.̶̗̫̱̜̓̆̂͊̒̍̔͜ͅL̶̝̖̦̟̜̯̱̀ö̶̳̫͔̼͉͙̮͠r̴̮̂̏̈̂ͅè̷̛̜̻͇̑̅̀̀͝

"He... does not like me. He... does not like father. He... does not like anyone." B4 finds some of his memory engrams activating. Hazy images of anger. Shouting. He is not nice to B4. "Where is the one who smiles?"

His brother does not answer. His face is crumpled.

"Have... Have I said something wrong?"

"No, you have not done anything wrong." He pauses. "I must go. Are you in need of anything?"

"No."

"You may sit here." His brother guides him to a seat, and he helps him to sit. "I will return."

"When?"

"Soon."

"How long is soon?"

"I estimate 16.45 minutes."

His brother leaves the room.

B4 sits.

Something jumps on his lap. It is the cat, Spot. It is vibrating. It is rubbing its side on his chest.

A memory engram activates. B4 lifts a hand and looks at it for a moment. He does not understand what he is doing. His hand gently strokes Spot.

Spot vibrates more. Spot sits on his lap. Spot rests her head on his lap. Spot closes her eyes.

B4 does understand this. The cat is asleep. He does not wish to wake Spot.

He sits.

He strokes the cat.

He waits.

Data walked down the corridor, and into the Turbolift, issuing the vocal command of "Deck 15, Engineering".

His mind was active in the silence of the Turbolift. If what B4 had said implied what he believed it did, there may be a third Android on Omicron Theta, in which case it would be important to return to the surface and investigate. The idea of having not one, but two brothers was… intriguing for lack of a better word. However, B4's description of his said brother was somewhat concerning. It prompted a common wish to resurface in Data's mind, the wish for a so-called 'sixth sense'. For the moment, all he could do was run a calculation on the risks another away mission could potentially create and weigh it against the potential discovery.

It could be that it was another prototype android that had failed, or perhaps one who had been programmed with emotions. He could not be sure until he saw for himself, or was able to access B4's memory engrams, and perhaps repair the damage.

The Turbolift doors opened, and Data strode out into engineering.

He caught sight of Geordi. "Geordi, May I ask a favor?"

Geordi looked up. "Of course, Data. What can I do for you?"

"I would like to bring B4 down for some tests, including a memory transfer. He seems to remember living in the colony, but he seems unable to process the information easily. He cannot tell me many details, but I believe he spoke of another android, a third."

Geordi's face turned surprised. "Are you sure, Data?"

"I am not, however there is evidence to support it. That is why I intend to perform a memory transfer. If I can confirm my suspicions, it would be enough to warrant a return to the surface of Omicron Theta."

Geordi nodded. "It's definitely worth checking out. I'll look into it for you. But if I were you, I would get the Captain's permission first."

"Thank you, Geordi. I will talk to the Captain before I attempt it. I will bring B4 when you are ready."

Data turned and left, walking briskly. If he found proof, he may discover what happened to his creator and the colonists. He may discover why he was created. He may even find out his purpose. It was an interesting prospect.