Disclaimer: Star Trek the Next Generation is property of Paramount Pictures and all respective cast, crew, and employees. I am not making a profit off this. This is simply for fanfiction enjoyment.
Summary: The Borg have returned and have captured Data. Using very different tactics from their last encounter with the android, they will stop at nothing to gain control of the Enterprise … and Data may not survive the ordeal.
Note: I'm sorry for not being able to update sooner. Things have gotten really busy, preventing me from updating as often as I'd like.
Eternal Scars
Dr. Crusher scanned the tricorder down the length of the andorid's leg. She gripped the device tightly as if the strength of her grasp would force the desired reading.
Data sat on the side of a biobed while Geordi and Guinan stood waiting with baited breath on the side. Data was also interested in reading the tricorder. He followed its path until he almost fell off the side of the biobed.
The medical tricorder was an advanced device that detected even the most minute of signals. The tricorder beeped at a steady beat, then rapidly increased to a rapid succession of tones.
A wide grin spread across her face.
"You're absolutely right, Data. A signal has successfully traveled down the length of your leg."
Gerodi and Guinan couldn't contain their excitement. Guinan jumped up and down while Geordi cheered out loud.
"It'll take some work," Dr. Crusher said after Guinan and Geordi calmed down (somewhat), "but with some physical therapy, you should regain the use of your legs."
"How did this happen?" Guinan asked with excited curiosity, referring to the successful signal.
"I think it has to do with Data's emotion chip," Geordi said, still smiling. He then turned to his android friend, "Dealing with new and unfamiliar emotions has presented a completely different challenge for yourself and your body that you've never had to deal with before. I think this forced your signals to find new pathways throughout your body in order to cope… physically and emotionally. Some of these new pathways must have included your legs."
Data looked at his currently limp legs.
"The signal that has traveled down my leg has increased my chances of walking by five percent. Increasing the possibility to 5.000001"
Geordi's heart stopped cold. He had thought that the successful signal had virtually guaranteed Data's walking. A quick exchange of glances from the other two showed that it was clear that they were thinking the same.
"Is that true?" Guinan mouthed to Dr. Crusher.
The doctor met Guinan's eyes with a defeated gaze. Her tricorder did not calculate the possibility of walking; only Data could perform such precise calculations in a matter of seconds. And how could he be wrong?
Geordi bowed his head and bit his lip. Five percent… Data had been through so much. What did he ever do to deserve all this?
Geordi's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of sniffling. Slowly, the chief engineer looked up, afraid he already knew what he would see. Data's emotion chip had been on the whole time.
When Geordi looked into his android friend's eyes, tears were streaming down his face, but… he was smiling.
"Th-This is amazing…" Data stammered through his tears, "Just twenty minutes, seventeen seconds ago, the possibility of my walking was virtually impossible. Now, my chances have increased five-fold."
There was not a hint of sarcasm in the android's voice. His relief and joy filled every corner of Sickbay.
Gerodi and Dr. Crusher exchanged glances. Guinan stood silently to the side.
"Thank you, doctor… Geordi," Data nodded to the doctor and chief engineer. He did not seem to notice the air of stunned silence between the two.
Data sat in his isolinear chair before a set of parallel bars. Shifting his weight to his right, he placed his right palm on the seat of the chair and used his left hand to grip the left bar.
Having just finished a three hour long physical therapy session with Dr. Crusher, he immediately went to Holodeck 3 to continue the session. (Leaving an exhausted doctor and five worn-out physical therapists in his wake). The marathon physical therapy session produced no other successful signals in his leg, but the android was undaunted. Dr. Crusher opened her mouth to say something just before Data left Sickbay, but she didn't have the heart to say what was on her mind.
Using all his upper arm strength he hoisted his right arm onto the other bar. Immediately, the bars sagged and warped under his immense strength.
The android chuckled at the damage he caused. It was an overwhelmingly wonderful sensation… to laugh again; even if it were just for five point seven seconds. "Computer, straighten parallel bars and increase strength by fifty percent."
The bars returned to his original shape and the andorid's grip no longer dented the bars.
The bars, just tall enough to give the android support while standing, became the lifeline on which the android depended on to travel; without the aid of his isolinear chair.
Data shifted his weight from one hand to the next, traveling down the length of the bars. Each time his hands gripped the bars, his foot would touch the ground. Each time, with all his strength, he tried to move his leg an inch, a millimeter, a nanometer… some amount of movement, but it did not.
The successful signal pulsated with activity, but it was like a small child trying to make himself be heard in a stadium of thousands of people; it was just too weak.
Data reached the end of the parallel bars and with some struggle, he put his entire weight on one hand, placed both hands on one bar, and gripped the other bar so he faced the other direction.
Data repeated this process over and over, but it seemed more like he was strengthening his upper body than repairing his damaged legs. As he traveled down the length of the bars over and over with his hands, a nagging sense of doubt tickled the back of his positronic brain. Would he ever regain his ability to walk?
He struggled down the length of the parallel bars, even pushing his legs with one hand to at least provoke some movement in them. Each time his doubt rose, he pushed even harder.
Soon, Holodeck 3 echoed with the groans and grunts of the struggling android.
Data rolled his chair to station at Ops. Picard followed the android with his eyes and his expression softened. Data has asked Picard permission to continue his duties as second officer of the Enterprise . Picard didn't hesitate to say "yes."
The Enterprise 's destination filled the viewscreen. A beautiful blue planet stood prominently in front with light purple streaks across its surface.
"The Federation shuttle Orion crashed on this M-class planet, called the Allurian, twenty seven hours, ten seconds ago. Although the weather is currently calm, the Allurian is known to have unexpected and violent storms." Data explained, already assessing the situation.
"Commander," Picard addressed his first officer, "take an away team and try to find survivors. You'll have to move fast. The calm weather might not last long."
He then tapped his commbadge.
"Lieutenant O'Brien, have a lock on the away team and be ready to beam them up at any sign of trouble."
"Aye, sir."
Riker rose from his chair, picking his away team on his way to the turbolift.
"Worf… Dat…" Riker's voice trailed off and he immediately cringed. He was so used to having Data on his away team, but this mission required speed; months ago, that would have been the very reason Riker would have chosen Data. As Riker glanced at the android, Data slowly turned around in his isolinear chair.
"Thank you Commander, but I will not be an adequate addition to your away team. I will only slow down your pace by twenty minutes, eighteen seconds."
Riker swallowed hard and reluctantly nodded.
"I'm sorry, Data," he whispered just before the turbolift doors closed in front of him and Worf.
A deep pain hit Picard in his gut. Although Data had said that he wished to continue as a Starfleet officer, he also said something else. Data continued to say that at the first indication that his inability to walk would compromise the safety of the Enterprise or his crew, he would resign for good.
Data turned back around and continued controlling Ops. Although his emotion chip was turned off, the tiniest pang of sadness made its way into his mind. But he pushed it back with all his strength.
A gentle wind brushed against the android's cheek and he sun kissed his face with warmth. But Data didn't seem to notice. He stared off distantly as his positronic brain retrieved file after file, memory after memory.
"Can we build something later?" the young Timothy's voice echoed. It was on board the Enterprise in Data's quarters. Data was teaching Timothy how to build a model of the Dokkaran temple; an exact model of the Dokkaran temple and, although he didn't know it, Timothy was teaching Data that being precise wasn't always the way to go.
"I really miss them," Timothy whispered, another memory making its way into Data's conscious memory. Data sat silently across from Timothy as he stared at a miniature 3D image of his parents. A heavy silence descended in the room as Timothy shed tears. Back then, without emotions, Data didn't know what to say. Back then, he wished that he was built with emotions so that he may help Timothy in some way. However, now, with his emotion chip on, he realized that there really was nothing he could have said; but he had a feeling that just being there for Timothy was enough.
A procession of people filed into the seats around the android. All, including Data, were wearing black.
Data sat silently as friends, former teachers, Starfleet officers, and the Enterprise senior staff spoke. He kept his emotion chip on and found it hard to keep it activated as all the people whose lives Tim touched shared their personal memories of him.
Soon, it was time for him to speak. Data's internal wiring seemed to shiver with nervousness, though he didn't know why. He rolled his way to the podium, which automatically lowered and rose to the height of the speaker.
However, once the podium lowered to the height at which he was sitting, Data placed his hands on the podium and leaned on it until he was in a standing position.
"Computer, raise podium."
The podium rose obediently until the bottom of Data's feet touched the ground and he was in a full standing position. The last moments of Tim's life, he had seen his friend lie helplessly on the floor of the Borg Cube. At his funeral, Data would stand. He did not want his friend to see him in that state again. Although Tim was not present, the android has a feeling his friend was there.
Data swallowed hard before he began. This was a lot harder than he had anticipated.
"Ensign Tim was, is, and always will be, my friend."
Already tears began to well in the android's eyes and he found it had to speak.
"He… He has told me that he had learned a lot from me and that if it were not for me, he would not have gone this far. He would not have enrolled in Starfleet and become one of the most heroic officers I have ever known.
"Now, as I access files of memories with him, I realize that I have learned from him as well. I have learned that building a model of a house or a ship does not always involve precise calculations; that one does not have to be able to taste a shake to enjoy sharing a drink with them, that in painting, you do not always have to have exact colors, and that… I really do talk too much sometimes.
A soft murmur of chuckles broke amongst the subdued audience.
"I have been amazed at Tim's strength, courage, and tenacity. Despite all that he has been through, he has survived. Many people turn against the world without parents to guide them. Not Tim. He has become a friend, comrade, hero, and a fine Starfleet officer. He died doing what he loved. He was so happy when he was accepted into Starfleet Academy . When he became an ensign on the Enterprise , I thought he would literally touch the ceiling; he was jumping so high. His parents would have been proud. And I am sure that they are embracing him now."
Data glanced at the closed casket with a Starfleet flag draped over it. Though Ensign Tim's body was hidden, Data had could picture exactly how he looked. His friend would still be bearing the deep burn on the side of his head. His body would forever bear the wound that Borg Queen inflicted upon him; the very wound that killed him.
Data bit his lower lip, but it was no use. A cascade of tears finally broke the andorid's resolve. He had been fighting to maintain his composure, but he couldn't fight back the tears any longer.
"I-I am so sorry!" the android managed to say as he faced the casket bearing his friend, "I know it's not my fault, but I still wish I had done something to prevent you from being hit. I-I a-am sorry."
By now, the andorid's entire body was shaking from the sobs. Data's strong grip on the podium loosened and his standing position collapsed. Quickly, Data's legs, which had no strength to support his body, gave out from under him and he fell.
Riker, who also had tears in his eyes, bolted from his chair. But before the first officer could reach the android, Data caught himself.
For two point three seconds, Data looked down at the ground, wondering what had happened. His left and right knees were bent, but the balls of his feet were firmly planted on the ground. As tears fell down Data's cheeks, he gasped at the sight of his legs. He was kneeling. Though both legs trembled badly, Data's legs were holding his weight. It wasn't until then when Data realized that both legs had new signals making their way down to his feet. Brand new signals pulsated with activity, struggling to keep Data's weight steady. The android's legs held their position for three point seven seconds before they finally lost their strength and gave out completely.
By this time, Riker, Geordi, Picard, and Dr. Crusher were at Data's side.
"Data, are you alright?" Gerodi asked as Riker moved to help Data up.
"… Ye-Yes," Data stammered through his tears, "I am fine."
A flood of emotions hit the android at once. From grief over his beloved friend to the joy of his legs supporting his weight for the first time in months, there were many reasons for the android's tears; none of which he could explain in a coherent sentence. The emotions were just too much.
The El-Aurien behind the bar smiled at the officer who had just entered Ten Forward. It had been eight months since the first signal successfully reached down Data's leg. Now, the android was walking with the aid of isolinear sensor crutches. When Data first used them, he was leaning heavily on them and dragging his legs along with him. Now, although his pace was still slow, Data was walking more and more under his own power. Only a slight limp could be seen as Data made his way across the bar to the table where Geordi was seated.
Geordi and Data had not even made their first moves in 3D chess when they were interrupted.
"Commander Data? May I speak with you? It's um… kind of important." a meek voice arose from the side of the table. Data and Gerodi looked up to see Lieutenant Mitchell address Data with a lowered head and timid glance.
"… Am I interrupting something?"
"Ye-… No," Data said, quickly correcting himself. Gerodi couldn't help but smile. His friend was catching on more and more to human emotion and all the subtleties that go with it.
"Not at all," Geordi said. He still was unaware of the confrontation the lieutenant initiated against his friend. Data had not told his best friend. Since his encounter with the Borg, Data had become more attentive to his friends' and crewmates' emotions; whether his emotion chip was on or off. Seeing Geordi's concern over him after his return to the Enterprise , Data did not want to worry his friend even more.
"I'll beat you at 3D chess later," Geordi smiled at Data.
Lieutenant Mitchell eased into the seat and took a deep, shuddering breath. After several moments, he finally gathered the courage to look Data in the eyes. Glancing at the crutches, he was reminded of just how far Data had come.
"Lieutenant?" Data asked, breaking Mitchell from his revere. Data addressed the lieutenant with the same steady tone he addressed all officers; not a hint of animosity could be detected in the andorid's voice. Mitchell grit his teeth ruefully. It would almost be better if Data were angry with him. For a few seconds the lieutenant looked into the eyes of the android and took a deep breath.
"Commander Data… I owe you a big apology. I never should have said the things I said to you."
"You are referring to the time you called me a 'worthless, unfeeling android.'"
Lieutenant Mitchell cringed.
"Yes," he replied, looking down at the table. He then looked at Data's eyes again, "There are no words to express how sorry and regretful I am that I said that to you."
"You are referring to a conversation we shared eleven months two days ago."
"You mean, 'Why did it take me so long to apologize?" Mitchell smiled ruefully, translating the andorid's unique speak.
"… I dunno," the lieutenant sighed, "all the way up until recently, I thought you were just a machine. I didn't see you for who you are. And to tell you the truth, I never gave you a chance…
"I felt this way up until Captain Picard explained what happened on the Borg Cube to Admiral Vincennes.
"You withstood torture after torture from the Borg Queen, and yet you never released the Enterprise 's security codes," Lieutenant Mitchell continued, incredulously. He was now looking at Data with admiration.
"When I heard that, at first I couldn't believe it. But then, I saw you in that isolinear chair. It was then when I realized how wrong I had been… I was so ashamed of my behavior toward you, that for a long time, I couldn't even look at you, let alone apologize face-to-face.
"At Tim's funeral, when you were giving your eulogy, I realized I couldn't wait any longer. My guilt had been eating inside of me for too long. I had to give you the apology you deserve.
Lieutenant Mitchell paused to take deep breaths and gather his thoughts.
"Just before Tim left to join the away team that would try and rescue you, I was begging him not to go. I kept telling him that he was being ridiculous, risking his life for an android. That's when he turned to me and said, 'I have to go. He's my friend. Someday, I hope you'll understand.'
The lieutenant was now taking shuddering breaths, almost fighting back tears.
"I just wish it didn't take his death for me to finally understand."
"This shore leave will be a great rest for everyone," Riker said to Picard, smiling. The Enterprise had not taken shore leave for months and crewmen were showing signs of fatigue.
Geordi stood at the back of the Bridge, silently agreeing with Riker. He was studying readouts from the screen, but after a while, they all seemed to blur together and say the same things.
"They say that Verdetta III is a veritable paradise. Tropical waters, warm weather, and naturally lush green plants; it's as close to Earth's paradise as you can get." Picard remarked.
"I can't wait." Riker smiled.
The turbolift doors at the back of the Bridge hissed open. Gerodi glanced up, then did a double-take.
"Data!"
Commander Data was standing in the turbolift. For the first time in over a year, Data stepped onto the Bridge on his own two feet, under his own power. Both Riker and Picard bolted from their seats at the sound of Geordi's outburst.
Gerodi's soul swelled with pride and relief as he saw Data walk down to the front of the Bridge with the same ease he had so long ago.
Jean-Luc Picard couldn't stop smiling. The usual stoic captain was grinning from ear to ear.
"Congratulations, Commander Data," he said, outstretching his hand. Data took Picard's hand in his and shook. Even the warrior-tough Klingon, Worf, smiled at the sight of his friend walking.
All this time, Riker stood behind Picard, mouth agape in utter amazement.
"Commander," Data simply addressed the first officer with a nod of his head.
"Congratulations, Data," Riker said, finally finding his voice.
"Data…" Geordi said after he had made his way to his friend's side, "it's good to have you back."
"Thank you, Geordi."
The rest of the officers on the Bridge couldn't stop smiling. They looked at the Data as if they had never seen an android before.
Data was about to return to his usual position at Ops, but Gerodi put a hand on his shoulder.
"How did you do this, Data?" admiration filling his voice.
"With four hundred, twenty seven hours of intense physical therapy…"
"No, I mean… how did you not give up? You had such confidence even when your chance of walking was only at five percent. How did you find the will to keep going? I don't know if I would've had the strength to go on."
"If I focused my mind on the 95 chance that I would not walk and the fact that I was tortured by the Borg, I would not have continued my physical therapy sessions. Instead, I initiated a feedback loop on the fact that I have a chance to walk, however small, and that if I did not at least try to walk, the Borg Queen would have victimized me again.
"I have found that if one, as humans would say, 'keeps life in perspective,' it make even the most difficult of situations easier to deal with. Although the Borg Queen took away my ability to walk, she did not take away my ability to speak, hear… see. By focusing on the abilities I did have, I was able to intensify my physical therapy sessions and 'find the strength to go on.'"
"It really is good to have you back," Geordi said, patting Data on the back.
Data simply nodded.
The android then stepped toward his chair. For a few moments, he simply stood there. It was as if he had just realized his newly regained ability. He had just walked down the length of the Bridge. Just a few months ago, he was not able to take one step on his own. Now, he could run with the same superhuman speed he once had.
Suddenly, Data felt a single tear travel down his cheek; yet he was smiling. And his emotion chip was off.
As quickly as the tear appeared, it rolled down his cheek and out of sight just as quickly.
"Everything okay, Data?" Picard asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Take us out of orbit to Verdetta III."
Data sat into his chair and settled back.
"Aye sir."
He punched in a series of controls and the Enterprise sped away, becoming a sapphire blur in the star dappled universe.
That completes my story:) I hope you liked it. If you did or didn't please review. Once again, my thanks so much to all reviewers. It is the reviewers who make writing so rewarding.
Munckincat Out.
