7. Any Objections?
Geordi was fuming. He couldn't remember when he'd been so mad or frustrated in his life. The Chief Engineer may very well have been one of the mildest people aboard the Enterprise but his sense of injustice was pulsing adrenaline into every vessel in his body. What was being allowed to happen was just wrong! It wasn't only that the situation was unjust that bothered him. He couldn't even think of a sound argument against it. Neither could anyone else.
He was back in room C-4 repairing the superficial damage to Data's anatomy. He would have done it anyway even though he knew it would de nothing to bring his friend back. It was almost like a last attempt to apologize. But this—to be ordered to enhance the remains of such a close comrade for such a vile purpose completely disgusted him. What was worse was that he couldn't completely back up his feelings.
LaForge's hand clenched so tight around the tool he held that the normally dark skin around his knuckles paled under the pressure. So far he hadn't really accomplished much. He'd mostly been pacing and brooding.
About an hour ago he had been called to the conference room by the voice of a disturbed Captain. He had entered the conference room to discover Dr. Pulaski, Commander Riker, Deanna Troi and the Jean-Luc Picard all with their eyes glued to the view-screen that displayed a very smug Bruce Maddox. Geordi could have guessed he'd come into the picture sooner or later.
"I really don't see what the big deal is Captain. It's a simple request. You didn't need to call the whole ship's crew for this." The man said from the monitor.
"Never mind. Repeat your petition, Commander. I want to hear their viewpoint." Picard wished Beverly Crusher were present. She was very good at arguing.
"Starfleet is requesting the remains of Lieutenant Commander Data." Maddox gave a 'that's all' shrug.
"Why?" Riker knew exactly why but was obligated to ask.
"For examination of course. There is so much we can learn about artificial intelligence by his dissection. He's also a historical artifact. Such an important piece of Starfleet history shouldn't be kept on a starship."
There was a disgusted exchange of glances. The Captain let the words sink in before he spoke. "Are there any comments?"
"I have two objections Captain."
"Go ahead Mr. LaForge."
"For one thing; sometime in the future we may find a way to repair him and your procedure of complete disassembly will destroy that possibility. And for another; I don't think he'd like the idea." Geordi's face glared at the screen from behind his VISOR.
"He did not leave a will. Therefore he isn't posing any objections." Commander Maddox's face took on a 'take that' expression.
"He bluntly refused your experimentation." Picard countered.
"Yes, for fear he would lose his 'life'." The last word was said quite bitterly. "There is no risk of that now is there, Captain?"
From where he sat the first officer made an almost inaudible grunt of disgust. He couldn't stand this man's high-and-mighty attitude.
"Besides," the Commander went on. "You can't really object to a procedure when you don't truly know what it involves."
"I know exactly what it involves!" The Captain's voice was sharp and slightly louder than usual. "You'll take him apart piece by piece and examine every circuit then slap the parts back together to use for a display item!" He sat forward in his chair and lowered his tone. "And you have the guile to question his humanity?"
"Captain Picard, I believe you are letting your emotions cloud your reasoning."
There was another swap of uneasy glances at the bluntness of this statement. Picard was a bit irritated at the accusation but wasn't completely sure if it was wrong.
"Just for the sake of taking the opposing viewpoint…" Dr. Pulaski put in. Just those words got everyone's immediate attention. "…He was very dedicated to the continuation of the work of Dr. Soong. Since he is no longer here to carry on then someone else must take over. Studying Data would have to be the first step."
"Thank you, Doctor." Maddox acknowledged her with a nod.
"Mr. LaForge, do you truly think it is possible for Data to be completely repaired and reactivated."
"Not in the near future." Geordi admitted quietly.
"You really don't even know if it's possible. What good will he be doing just sitting and waiting when he could be teaching us so much?" Commander Maddox let out a sigh that bordered on sympathy. "Let me enlighten you on a piece of Terran history. In the 1800's there was a paleontologist by the name of Edward Drinker Cope. He was dedicated to the study of ancient life even fighting in a feud for knowledge against one of his contemporaries. When he died he continued in his obsession for knowledge by dedicating his remains to scientific study. So much was learned about the human anatomy by the examination of his body. Many medical leaps were the result of it. Many, many decades later other paleontologists were able to look upon that great man with respect and awe. In a way his contribution immortalized him. That is what I am striving to do for Data."
There was a moment of silence. The man had a point.
But his momentary passion didn't last long. " Besides, it's a Starfleet order and you obviously have no legal grounds to appeal."
Picard sank back into his chair and ran his fingers through a head of nonexistent hair. Maddox was right. There were no legal objections—just possible moral ones. "When will you be arriving?"
"We can reach you in three days. Until then tell your engineering staff to fix any outer damage. Maddox out." The screen went blank.
The Captain sighed. He could just see himself walking into a starbase museum one day and finding Data behind a glass case collecting dust.
That debate had been about an hour ago and the Chief Engineer was still brooding about it. Every time he reviewed the discussion in his mind his fury only heightened.
In a sudden surge of adrenaline he flung the instrument to the floor at the base of the table. The fragile end of the device shattered against the metal exam table sending a hot pink electrical current surging over the stand and its occupant. By the time he turned back the brief lightning show was gone. He sighed and picked up the pieces. If Troi had seen that outburst she would have relieved him of duty for a week. He didn't notice two golden eyes snap open and begin concentrating on a self-diagnostic.
True anger wasn't something LaForge felt often. Perhaps that was why he wasn't handling it too well. But he was still ashamed of his actions. He sat back in his chair facing the console and held his head in his hands. Some Engineer he was. First he couldn't fix something as important as his best friend and now he was loosing his emotional control. Finally, for the first time since the accident he cried.
Behind Geordi's back the figure on the table sat up abruptly. The white face made a conscious effort to look concerned.
"Is there something wrong, Geordi?"
"How did you know?" The Chief Engineer said sarcastically as he wiped a tear from his cheek.
"Your body posture and the fact that you are crying—to use a common expression—'gave you away.'" He paused only for a moment. "May I ask what is troubling you?"
"Because Maddox has ordered that we turn you over to him so he can dissect you like some alien bug then stuff you in some Starfleet museum to rot!" Geordi was so caught up in his own thoughts and emotions that he didn't realize he was talking to anyone other than himself. "And it's all my fault!"
"Why is this being allowed to happen?"
"Because I couldn't fix you. Because you're…" The last word was cut short as his jaw dropped in final realization. For a moment he was frozen, afraid that he was just hearing things. He then turned around slowly and his VISOR displayed his best friend sitting casually on the side of the bed with his halo glowing as healthy as ever.
"Because I am what, Geordi?" Data's head tilted to the side, awaiting the answer.
"You're…you're ALIVE!"
"Yes. It is now a legally proven fact." Data frowned slightly as Geordi embraced him in a hug that he calculated had unusual amount of pressure for such a gesture. "I do not see why this would justify his actions. In fact it seems that that declaration would prevent this course of action. Has Commander Maddox somehow nullified the previous court ruling?"
"No." He said with a teary smile. "But boy do we have a surprise for him!"